Home Secretary Suella Braverman has been urged to close a loophole in firearms laws, uncovered by the Sunday Mail.
SNP MP Alyn Smith, whose constituency covers Dunblane where 16 primary school kids and their teacher were killed by a gunman in 1996, has called on her to introduce greater regulation and enforcement.
It comes a week after we revealed how certain types of US-inspired gun clubs don’t fall under strict licensing laws.
That’s despite members – including those at a Lanarkshire club – using high-powered guns as they move their way around a combat assault course to take out human-shaped targets.
The Sunday Mail discovered that anyone with a licence for certain types of guns is able to set up so-called “practical shooting” clubs on private land without the need for police, government or local authority permission and licensing.
New members without any gun experience or licences can take part in shooting. Smith has made the same appeal to Scotland’s Justice Secretary Keith Brown.
In his letters, the MP for Stirling said: “I’d hope you would agree with me that these types of clubs need much greater regulation than they appear to be subject to. Alternatively, if the law is sufficient, then surely there is a need for greater enforcement.”
Gun control activists backed his calls. Jack Crozier, 29, whose sister Emma was killed in the Dunblane tragedy, said: “The current regulation clearly isn’t fit for purpose.”
A spokeswoman for Gun Control Network said: “Urgent action is needed.”
The Scottish Government said: “We have received the letter and the Justice Secretary will respond in due course.”
Recoil Scotland – based in Shotts – runs practical shotgun, mini rifle and long-barrel pistol disciplines. Christopher Toner and John Prunty, who run the club, did not respond to our calls for comment.
The Home Office said: “We’ve recently brought in new statutory guidance for firearms licensing, which means police must carry out robust checks on public safety grounds.”
