A failed appeal by a former firearms certificate holder has resulted in his having to pay costs of £11,600.
Cumbria Constabulary was awarded the substantial costs after successfully opposing an appeal against a decision to revoke a former certificate holder’s firearms and shotgun certificates.
The appeal was heard at Carlisle Crown Court, concluding on Wednesday (12 March).
The court heard that Cumbria Constabulary took the decision to revoke the certificates, in accordance with its responsibility to act where there is a risk to public safety.
The court was told that the decision was taken in line with guidance which states that, where there is evidence of domestic abuse or any other violence or credible threat of violence, as there was in this case, a license should be revoked, unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Cumbria Constabulary’s case for rejecting the appeal was on the basis that no such exceptional circumstances exist which would mean the domestic abuse evidenced should be disregarded. Indeed, other factors bolstered the case for revoking the firearms license, including that the former certificate holder had not disclosed relevant information to the Constabulary’s Firearms Licensing department.
The court upheld the Constabulary’s decision to revoke the certificate, finding that the former certificate holder had engaged in incidents of domestic abuse and that he had failed to disclose relevant information to Firearms Licensing due to concern as to the effect it would have on his certificates. The former certificate holder must now pay the Constabulary’s costs – amounting to £11,600.
Cumbria Constabulary Assistant Chief Constable Jonathan Blackwell said: “The Constabulary takes its role in protecting the public by upholding the highest standards for firearms certificate holders, and ensuring these standard are complied with, extremely seriously.
“In this instance, there were significant grounds for concern which resulted in the Constabulary reaching the decision, on public safety grounds, to revoke the firearms certificate.
“Whilst it is acknowledged the majority of certificate holders comply with all requirements relating to their possession of firearms, this case should serve as a reminder to certificate holders of their responsibilities, as well as the financial implication resulting from a failed appeal.”