Five police forces in England and Wales are introducing a questionnaire for partners of all gun license applicants to ensure a more detailed understanding of all applicants and to highlight any domestic abuse concerns. The forces involved are Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, the Metropolitan, Hertfordshire, and Gwent, which spearheaded the initiative with the help of domestic abuse survivors. Gwent Police have dubbed the scheme “Project Titanium,” and since its pilot last year, it has led to the refusal or revocation of several licences.
While the law already mandates a gun license review at least every five years, some argue that annual reviews or stricter controls are necessary. Emma Ambler, a campaigner whose sister Kelly Fitzgibbons and two daughters were killed in Sussex by a licensed gun holder partner in 2020, is among those calling for more stringent measures. The new questionnaire is not mandatory, but applicants who refuse to engage, or would-be license-holders who decline to provide their partner’s details, could automatically face rejection.
Partners are questioned remotely or in person, so they can provide honest answers about their concerns. In the past, several people, especially women, have had their ability to be candid undermined by dangerous partners who control their every move. However, Gwent Police is already trained in identifying ways to assess for red flags when handling firearms licenses applications.
Rhianon Bragg, who was imprisoned by her former partner for a night in August 2019, has been instrumental in helping police in developing the questionnaire. The interviewer’s formulation of the questions could have triggered an insight about her situation earlier, said Bragg, who did not realize at the time that she was in an abusive relationship. “Despite everything I’ve experienced, I’m not anti-shooting. This is absolutely about having people who are responsible gun owners, responsible with their weapons and how they use them, who realise it is a privilege,” she concluded.
The extensiveness of gun license procedures in the UK means that strict checks are already in place. The National Police Chiefs Council has updated its statutory guidance around domestic abuse and “family turmoil,” and three forces are testing more focused questioning within the licensing process to reduce the likelihood of domestic abuse and family-related incidents. The results of these trials are to be assessed, and feedback has reportedly been positive. The police will collaborate with the College of Policing later this year to implement the process across all UK forces
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