On the 4th November, NAReS was invited to give a presentation to the National Firearms Licensing Conference in Berkshire. There were over a hundred delegates consisting of representatives of all the police firearms licensing departments in England and Wales as well as Police Scotland. There were representatives from His Majesties Inspector of Constabulary Fire and Rescue Service (HMICFRS); Government departments; College of Policing; National Police Chiefs Counsel, the National Crime Agency; and the Gun Trades Association, along with several shooting organisations, to name but a few!
The Conference discussed a number of topics including some of the recommendations contained in the recent HMICFRS report on the state of licensing in the various police areas, which was less than complimentary. During the conference I was able to put forward questions about the current situation with the licensing of re-enactment firearms, and during my presentation I was able to reiterate the requirement for the issue of powder licenses when forces consider it necessary to issue Section 7 permits for extended periods. I hope members are benefiting from this if their renewals are delayed but should anyone have a problem please contact me. I have also been asked to support the new Firearms Security Manual which should be interesting.
Whilst some of the topics were not relevant to re-enacting there were many issues that could, and perhaps will, have a knock on effect to what we do. As a result of our attendance it has been acknowledged that re-enactment has a ‘seat at the table’ when firearms licensing is discussed. The intention was to cement this position which, by attending this conference, has been achieved.
It is by attending conferences and meetings that we are able to push for better treatment of re-enactment and re-enactors. We cannot do this without the support of our members. Please continue to support us and get involved in what we do. It is your hobby and there are many outside forces that are conspiring to make it more difficult. On a personal note, I have worked to lay a foundation on which, whoever comes after me, will be able to build, please don’t let it go to waste.
Martin Abbott