Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will issue guidance to firearms licensing departments on mandating training for firearms being used for deer management at either grant or renewal.

Chief Constables have operational responsibility for firearms licensing. However, as set out in the Deer Impacts Policy Statement published by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) on 2 March.

The Home Office will work with the National Police Chief’s Council and Defra to explore whether the existing Guide on Firearms Licensing Law might be amended to encourage police forces to consider requiring those who use their firearms to shoot deer lawfully to first be able to demonstrate a minimum level of competence in doing so.

Any proposed changes to the Guide will be subject to discussions with stakeholders.