Withdrawal of proposal to increase firearms licensing fees welcomed

The withdrawal of a proposal to increase fees for firearms licenses in Northern Ireland has been welcomed.

Justice Minister Naomi Long said she took the decision after feedback from a public consultation on proposals to amend firearm licensing, which has now been withdrawn.

It had been seeking views on proposals to achieve full cost recovery of firearms licensing, including increasing the cost of a firearm certificate from £98 to £250.

Answering questions about the proposals in the Assembly earlier this month, Ms Long had said they were seeking to recover costs, and that it cost the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) £2 million to subsidise applications last year at a time of increased budget pressures.

On Wednesday, Ms Long said having considered the consultation feedback from consultees and stakeholder groups, and recent advice from officials, she decided to withdraw the consultation.

“Whilst Northern Ireland’s firearms licensing fees continue to be heavily subsidised from the core PSNI budget, I believe that it is important to address the concerns raised and my department will take time to carefully consider the issues highlighted,” she said.

“I hope that by withdrawing the current consultation, it will provide the space for positive engagement, in good faith, to find a way forward as the current situation is not sustainable.

“Department officials will seek to engage with stakeholders to understand the concerns raised, explore options and develop proposals to inform a new consultation which will launch at a later date.”

Sinn Fein MLA Emma Sheerin welcomed the move, and described the proposed hikes as “excessive, unfair, and would have had a disproportionate impact on our rural and agricultural communities”.

“Sinn Fein opposed these proposals, which came at a time when rural communities are already facing significant increased costs in fuel, home heating oil and fertiliser,” she said.

“The department sought to increase the cost of a firearms licence application against a backdrop of concerns around the licensing system, including backlogs and long delays in processing licenses.”

DUP MLA Trevor Clarke hailed a “welcome rethink”.

“I was highly critical of the minister’s original plans because they caused real concern among law-abiding firearms certificate holders, clubs and dealers,” he said.

“The department has now accepted that concerns were raised about both the information provided and the consultation process itself. That vindicates the calls for the minister to pause and think again.

“No-one disputes the need for a properly resourced licensing system, but any changes must be proportionate and based on proper engagement with those affected.”

UUP MLA Doug Beattie added: “There was significant opposition to these proposals from across the rural and sporting community, and this U-turn by the minister is the right course of action.

“The proposed increases were disproportionate and the process was clearly flawed.

“Withdrawing the consultation gives space for proper engagement, and any future proposals must be fair and built on a service that actually works for certificate holders.

“Before certificate holders are charged the full cost of this service, the service itself must work.

“The delays and appeals backlog must be addressed first, and any future proposals must protect those who hold weapons for personal protection because they are under threat.”