Firearms Advice Strengthened
6 December 2007
The NGO has announced that George Wallace, the well known and respected authority on firearms licensing and police administration of the Firearms Act, has agreed to act as a voluntary consultant to the NGO and its members on firearms matters.
George, who retired from BASC's Firearms Department in 2004 after a distinguished career in firearms administration, said, "I am flattered to be asked to assist NGO members and very much looking forward to it. The legal right of gamekeepers to possess firearms as necessary tools of their trade should not be unreasonably hindered. While the vast majority of police firearms licensing staff provide a first class service, there are still a few who seem set on making our lives difficult. Those few will be opposed with great vigour."
Delays in certificate renewals, problems over conditions placed on certificates and several instances of firearms being unfairly confiscated have recently led to a marked increase in the number of enquiries the NGO has been getting from members seeking firearms advice.
"We will continue to answer such enquiries centrally but having George available to help us out in detailed and complex cases will be a huge benefit to the organisation and its members," said Lindsay Waddell, NGO Chairman. "We are very grateful for his agreement to help."
George Wallace's involvement with the NGO follows the organisation's publication last month of a 48-page guide to the Firearms Act and related legislation entitled, "Sporting Shooting and the Law".
An NGO spokesman commented, "These twin developments demonstrate the NGO's determination to assist its members with top quality advice in the crucial area of firearms law."
NGO members requiring advice on firearms related matters should still make initial contact with the NGO national office on 01388 665899 or by emailing ngo.enquiries@btopenworld.com