Council permission no longer neccessary for firearms possession

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Council permission no longer neccessary for firearms

The changes to the council tenancy rules would have affected tenants who own licensed firearms.

By Barnaby Dracup

Tuesday, 05 May 2009

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, in the West Midlands, had sent tenants a letter detailing proposed changes to its tenancy conditions which required owners of licensed firearms to obtain the council’s written permission to keep guns in a council property.

However, following pressure from shooting organisations, which manages more than 30,000 properties, has now dropped a proposed change to its tenancy rules which would have affected council tenants who own licensed firearms.

Following feedback from BASC, its members and the police, the council has decided to drop the condition.

Among its reasons is that there are dangers in keeping a database which identifies where firearms owners live.

BASC’s director of communications, Christopher Graffius, said: “The police make thorough checks before issuing licences and also check that firearms are being securely stored in accordance with the law. BASC is pleased that the Council appreciates that those engaged in shooting sports are law-abiding and responsible. The council is to be congratulated for listening to their tenants and making a common sense decision.”

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Comments

mark johnson

Thu, 7th May 2009 16:37:13

I live in Sandwell, when I recieved this letter I contacted the council and spoke to a Mr. Neville Rowe, expressing my concern that the council data was open to anyone, I explained that the only people that needed to know what I kept on my property were the police not the council plumber. I had an idea that they did`nt know what they were about when the first line read "YOU MUST NOT KEEP ANY ILLEGAL OR UNLICENSED FIREARMS AT YOUR PROPERTY" . In some parts of sandwell the tenants might ask "How else can I protect my drugs factory?"

Iain Thomson

Thu, 7th May 2009 12:43:23

Wonders will never cease. An urban council changing its mind and even realising the dangers of information escaping. I believe however that Sandwell are not the only council to have imposed these conditions on council tenants. I an led to believe that a number of Greater London Boroughs and housing associations actually refuse to allow firearms to be stored in their properties under any circumstances.