Who like their Greens!
Posted: Sat Jan 15, 2011 9:20 am
From my inbox...
Who voted for the Green Party? Here's Caroline Lucas 's letter to a constituent: interesting to note she begins almost every sentence with 'I'. There are so many questions she should be asked it's difficult to know where to start.
Dear x
Thank you so much for writing to me, and for raising this worrying and important issue. I understand your concern at the failure of existing legislation in the cases you mention, and the need for any further legislation to be rigorously implemented if it is to be effective.
The Government has yet to respond to Adrian Whiting’s report. The House of Common’s Home Affaires Committee has conducted an investigation in to firearms control which examined whether or not there is a need for changes to the way in which firearms and/or shotgun certificates are issued, monitored or reviewed as a means of preventing gun violence. In particular the inquiry looked at the extent to which legally-held guns are used in criminal activity and the relationship between gun control and gun crime. This included taking evidence on whether or not the current laws governing firearms licensing are fit for purpose, proposals to improve information-sharing between medics and the police for gun licensing, information-sharing between police and prisons in assessing the risk of offenders who may have access to firearms, and the danger presented by airguns. The committee will publish its report on Monday, and there will also be a general debate on firearms control on that day in the House of Commons. You can watch the debate on the BBC Parliament Channel or online at the BBC’s Democracy live website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/bbc_parliament.
I strongly oppose the use and private ownership of firearms and lethal weapons, such as air rifles and crossbows, except on registered premises. I think that there should be a complete ban on the private ownership or possession of all automatic and semi-automatic firearms. I also think that all deactivated weapons should be treated in the same way as active weapons in terms of prohibition and licensing, because they are capable of being reactivated and can cause fear. I believe that a single rigorous licensing process should be put in place, based on considerations of public safety rather than the convenience of shooters. I believe that is it important for users of firearms for sporting or agricultural purposes to demonstrate their competence in handling firearms, and satisfy the authorities of their mental and emotional stability. I also think that the cost of medical and psychological tests must be borne by the applicant, together with a new annual fee which is sufficient to repay the economic cost to society of the abuse of guns. I think that the principle for awarding licences should be that the applicant must demonstrate his or her suitability to handle firearms rather than expecting the authorities to prove the applicant's unsuitability. I believe that licence holders should be required to renew their applications on an annual basis and that individuals whose licence application is rejected will be required to wait at least two years before re-applying.
I will follow the debate on Monday and keep your letter in mind when considering any changes that the Government proposes on firearms control.
Thank you again for writing to me.
Best wishes,
Caroline
Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion
House of Commons
London SW1A 0AA
Tel: 020 7219 7025
Email: caroline.lucas.mp@parliament.uk
If you would like to receive bi monthly email news bulletins from Caroline Lucas please reply to this message putting 'email bulletin' in the subject line.
Who voted for the Green Party? Here's Caroline Lucas 's letter to a constituent: interesting to note she begins almost every sentence with 'I'. There are so many questions she should be asked it's difficult to know where to start.
Dear x
Thank you so much for writing to me, and for raising this worrying and important issue. I understand your concern at the failure of existing legislation in the cases you mention, and the need for any further legislation to be rigorously implemented if it is to be effective.
The Government has yet to respond to Adrian Whiting’s report. The House of Common’s Home Affaires Committee has conducted an investigation in to firearms control which examined whether or not there is a need for changes to the way in which firearms and/or shotgun certificates are issued, monitored or reviewed as a means of preventing gun violence. In particular the inquiry looked at the extent to which legally-held guns are used in criminal activity and the relationship between gun control and gun crime. This included taking evidence on whether or not the current laws governing firearms licensing are fit for purpose, proposals to improve information-sharing between medics and the police for gun licensing, information-sharing between police and prisons in assessing the risk of offenders who may have access to firearms, and the danger presented by airguns. The committee will publish its report on Monday, and there will also be a general debate on firearms control on that day in the House of Commons. You can watch the debate on the BBC Parliament Channel or online at the BBC’s Democracy live website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/bbc_parliament.
I strongly oppose the use and private ownership of firearms and lethal weapons, such as air rifles and crossbows, except on registered premises. I think that there should be a complete ban on the private ownership or possession of all automatic and semi-automatic firearms. I also think that all deactivated weapons should be treated in the same way as active weapons in terms of prohibition and licensing, because they are capable of being reactivated and can cause fear. I believe that a single rigorous licensing process should be put in place, based on considerations of public safety rather than the convenience of shooters. I believe that is it important for users of firearms for sporting or agricultural purposes to demonstrate their competence in handling firearms, and satisfy the authorities of their mental and emotional stability. I also think that the cost of medical and psychological tests must be borne by the applicant, together with a new annual fee which is sufficient to repay the economic cost to society of the abuse of guns. I think that the principle for awarding licences should be that the applicant must demonstrate his or her suitability to handle firearms rather than expecting the authorities to prove the applicant's unsuitability. I believe that licence holders should be required to renew their applications on an annual basis and that individuals whose licence application is rejected will be required to wait at least two years before re-applying.
I will follow the debate on Monday and keep your letter in mind when considering any changes that the Government proposes on firearms control.
Thank you again for writing to me.
Best wishes,
Caroline
Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion
House of Commons
London SW1A 0AA
Tel: 020 7219 7025
Email: caroline.lucas.mp@parliament.uk
If you would like to receive bi monthly email news bulletins from Caroline Lucas please reply to this message putting 'email bulletin' in the subject line.