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Children under 10 licensed to use shotguns, BBC learns Children under 10 licensed to use 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 under-10s should be banned from using shotguns.Last year, the Association of Chief Police Officers suggested under-10s should be banned from using shotguns.
The British Association for Shooting and Conservation says children use shotguns for sports and on farms.The British Association for Shooting and Conservation says children use shotguns for sports and on farms.
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, there were 7,071 licences issued to under-18s.Between 2008 and 2010, there were 7,071 licences issued to under-18s.
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.
A West Mercia force spokesman said thorough checks were made before any licence was granted.A West Mercia force spokesman said thorough checks were made before any licence was granted.
"Most of the under-18s who have firearms licences do so for sports purposes," he said. "For example, the eight-year-old boy has a licence for clay pigeon shooting under the supervision of his father at organised clay pigeon events only.""Most of the under-18s who have firearms licences do so for sports purposes," he said. "For example, the eight-year-old boy has a licence for clay pigeon shooting under the supervision of his father at organised clay pigeon events only."
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 the British Association for Shooting and Conservation says the law still prohibits people under-18 from owning or buying a shotgun, or using one without supervision.But the British Association for Shooting and Conservation says the law still prohibits people under-18 from owning or buying a shotgun, or using one without supervision.
Spokesman Steve Bloomfield said age was "irrelevant" as the decision on granting a licence was made by a very experienced police officer who would visit the family involved.Spokesman Steve Bloomfield said age was "irrelevant" as the decision on granting a licence was made by a very experienced police officer who would visit the family involved.
He added that the certificate simply allowed a child to be trained and educated by an adult.He added that the certificate simply allowed 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."
West Mercia police said all under-18s must have an adult over 21 who is a firearms licence holder themselves to vouch for them.West Mercia police said all under-18s must have an adult over 21 who is a firearms licence holder themselves to vouch for them.
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 should 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 should 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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As a person brought up in the country on a farm and going out shooting of animals from a young age, I still think HAVING A GUN SHOULD BE OUTLAWED ALTOGETHER. Yes the sport fanatics will comlain, but that number is very small compared to rest of society, simple solution is to have a properly controled shooting clubs similar to US..
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    • So what?We had a shooting club at junior school from the age of 7. We had rifles and mortars at senior school in the Combined Cadet Force. The idea was teaching discipline and responsibility.It is a lack of discipline in many schools, omitted for fashionable PC reasons, that has hugely increased youth violence.Correct the priority. Focus on violent kids not 10 well-behaved ones!
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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 responsibilityHow 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.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!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!
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