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Children under 10 issued shotguns, BBC learns Children under 10 issued shotguns, BBC learns
(40 minutes later)
By Danny Shaw Home affairs correspondent, BBC NewsBy Danny Shaw Home affairs correspondent, BBC News
Thirteen children under the age of 10 have been issued with shotgun certificates in the UK over the past three years.Thirteen children under the age of 10 have been issued with shotgun certificates in the UK over the past three years.
The youngest child to be granted a licence was seven years old, figures obtained by BBC News show.The youngest child to be granted a licence was seven years old, figures obtained by BBC News show.
Last year, the Association of Chief Police Officers suggested that under-10s are banned from using shotguns.Last year, the Association of Chief Police Officers suggested that under-10s are banned from using shotguns.
But the British Association for Shooting and Conservation says children use shotguns for sports activities.But the British Association for Shooting and Conservation says children use shotguns for sports activities.
The statistics were released by 51 police forces under the Freedom of Information Act. Dorset was the only constabulary not to provide information.The statistics were released by 51 police forces under the Freedom of Information Act. Dorset was the only constabulary not to provide information.
Between 2008 and 2010, 7,071 licences were issued to under 18 year olds.Between 2008 and 2010, 7,071 licences were issued to under 18 year olds.
Devon and Cornwall police granted the most certificates, 418, followed by West Mercia, 346, and Norfolk, 324.Devon and Cornwall police granted the most certificates, 418, followed by West Mercia, 346, and Norfolk, 324.
No minimum ageNo minimum age
Ten shotgun certificates were issued to nine year olds. Two forces - West Mercia and Cumbria - each approved a licence application for an eight year old.Ten shotgun certificates were issued to nine year olds. Two forces - West Mercia and Cumbria - each approved a licence application for an eight year old.
In 2008, Gloucestershire police granted a licence to a seven-year-old child.In 2008, Gloucestershire police granted a licence to a seven-year-old child.
Under current laws, there is no minimum age for applying for a shotgun certificate in the UK. The decision to grant a licence rests with a senior police officer.Under current laws, there is no minimum age for applying for a shotgun certificate in the UK. The decision to grant a licence rests with a senior police officer.
But when using a shotgun, children must be supervised by an adult until they turn 15.But when using a shotgun, children must be supervised by an adult until they turn 15.
The British Association for Sports and Conservation says children use shotguns for sports such as clay pigeon shooting, and on family-run farms.The British Association for Sports and Conservation says children use shotguns for sports such as clay pigeon shooting, and on family-run farms.
Spokesman Steve Bloomfield said age was "irrelevant" as the decision on granting a licence is made by a very experienced police officer who will visit the family involved.Spokesman Steve Bloomfield said age was "irrelevant" as the decision on granting a licence is made by a very experienced police officer who will visit the family involved.
He added that the certificate simply allowed for a child to be trained and educated by an adult.He added that the certificate simply allowed for a child to be trained and educated by an adult.
"It's far better to take a young person with their parents, or to a club, and allow them to use that shotgun and be trained from whatever age," he said."It's far better to take a young person with their parents, or to a club, and allow them to use that shotgun and be trained from whatever age," he said.
"And the age is irrelevant. It's the mental aptitude, and the stability of the family, and the stature of that young person that decides it, the age doesn't decide it at all.""And the age is irrelevant. It's the mental aptitude, and the stability of the family, and the stature of that young person that decides it, the age doesn't decide it at all."
Last October, the Commons Home Affairs Committee reported that a "large number" of young people enjoyed shooting in a safe and responsible manner.Last October, the Commons Home Affairs Committee reported that a "large number" of young people enjoyed shooting in a safe and responsible manner.
But the committee was told by Assistant Chief Constable Adrian Whiting, lead spokesman on firearms legislation for the Association of Chief Police Officers, that there should be an "absolute minimum age" of 10 for shooting with firearms and shotguns.But the committee was told by Assistant Chief Constable Adrian Whiting, lead spokesman on firearms legislation for the Association of Chief Police Officers, that there should be an "absolute minimum age" of 10 for shooting with firearms and shotguns.
Public protectionPublic protection
Ten is the age of criminal responsibility in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.Ten is the age of criminal responsibility in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The Home Affairs Committee concluded that the laws be "simplified and clarified" and that there was "no good reason" to maintain the current differences in age restrictions between shotguns and firearms - where people have to be 14 before being granted a licence.The Home Affairs Committee concluded that the laws be "simplified and clarified" and that there was "no good reason" to maintain the current differences in age restrictions between shotguns and firearms - where people have to be 14 before being granted a licence.
The Home Office is currently reviewing firearms laws and is expected to publish its response to the Committee's report by early summer.The Home Office is currently reviewing firearms laws and is expected to publish its response to the Committee's report by early summer.
A spokesman said: "Public protection is the first duty of any government and our firearms laws are among the toughest in the world.A spokesman said: "Public protection is the first duty of any government and our firearms laws are among the toughest in the world.
"It is right that we keep them under review and we are prepared to tighten them further if necessary. Those controls must also be proportionate and fair and all options are on the table."It is right that we keep them under review and we are prepared to tighten them further if necessary. Those controls must also be proportionate and fair and all options are on the table.
"We are carefully considering the recommendations made by the Home Affairs Select Committee, the Association of Chief Police Officers and any issues raised in the parliamentary debate, before deciding what further action might be necessary.""We are carefully considering the recommendations made by the Home Affairs Select Committee, the Association of Chief Police Officers and any issues raised in the parliamentary debate, before deciding what further action might be necessary."


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How can a child of that age be regarded as "fit and proper" in terms of fully appreciating the legal responsibilities? Such children are "non age" in terms of legal responsibility in all other respects and so this seems somewhat contradictory. Their access should be by virtue of a specicific extension to an approved adult certificate only thereby ensuring the named adult has full responsibility
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    • And? I shot .303 rifles from 13 as an Air Cadet and I have much more respect for firearms as a result. I don't believe that age should matter, these kids are under adult supervision when shooting, training from an early age instills a respect for the gun and what it is to be used for. seems a bit sensationalistic to me.
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    • As an Adult Instructor in the Army Cadet Force, I've trained children from the age of 13 to fire rifles - but no cadet is ever allowed to fire unsupervised. The training focusses on 'Normal Safety Procedures' as much as it does on marksmanship - and once those are drilled in you don't forget how to handle a weapon safely!
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    • Having been involved with guns from a young age I support the idea of children being taught how to handle weapons in a responsible manner .My son has used firearms under supervision from the age of 7 when we have been abroad. He is now an air cadet at 13 and uses a modified version of the forces rifleThis is a 'non story' , it does not say under 10s will be running around unsupervised with guns
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    • I can understand peoples fears but really a bit of an overreaction, children are more dangerous with air rifles. My son is an excellent clay pigeon shooter but as me and his dad are split up it was virtually impossible to get him into a club without his own gun, which would mean him getting a licence. We need to look at this issue!I can understand peoples fears but really a bit of an overreaction, children are more dangerous with air rifles. My son is an excellent clay pigeon shooter but as me and his dad are split up it was virtually impossible to get him into a club without his own gun, which would mean him getting a licence. We need to look at this issue!
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    • As an adult instructor in the cadet services, we actually train kids to shoot live fire in a controlled situation on a range. They are capable of listening to and following the rules under guidance from us, which gives them the chance to prove they are responsible members in the world and i bet the majority of the licences issued was for shooting clubs which are heavily monitored
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    • Yet again, the BBC are trying to rouse panic in the general population. As the previous thread comments, how many children holding shotgun certs have been involved in incidents. Surely this is the point? My boys both shoot, and have done since young. They recieve professional training at a shooting school, and fire at clay pigeons.
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    • In terms of both shotguns and firearms, young people should only be issued with PROVISIONAL licences - allowing training, etc., under supervision - until they reach the age of, say, 17, and possession of the weapon should always apply to the adult supervisor, who will be ultimately responsible for use. (A bit like motor vehicle driver licensing.)
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    • I don't see any cause for concern here. Firearms certificates are not issued lightly and a never issued without the person to whom the licence is to be issued being visited by the police and being critically assessed. I learned to shoot at a very early age and have always benefited from the high degree of confidence, discipline and control that it instilled in me
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