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Gun summit clash |
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Tuesday, 22 April 2008 |
Nationalist Home Affairs spokesman Peter Wishart MP and Home Secretary Jacqui Smith have clashed over the upcoming summit on firearms being arranged by the Scottish Government.
The SNP claim that Smith’s refusal to take part in the summit, and unwillingness to negotiate with the Scottish Government over the transfer of responsibility for firearms to Holyrood, is holding back the fight against gun crime.
Wishart said:
“Jacqui Smith’s attitude is disappointing to say the least, and betrays an unsettling complacency on firearms misuse. In response to public concern, the Scottish Government have sought a partnership approach, bringing together police, gun control campaigners and shooting interests. Tightening gun laws may not be a priority for the Westminster Government, but it is very poor indeed for Jacqui Smith to trivialise this, and play political football with an issue that is of serious concern.”
Smith rejected the accusation, saying in parliament yesterday that the SNP were using the issue to score political points:
“It is a shame that the Honourable Gentleman’s party is using the very good initiative of the summit and a whole range of actions to make cheap party political points. I have discussed gun control with his colleagues in the Scottish Executive, and I discussed the issue of airguns. They, like me, will therefore be pleased that the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 ensures that it is now necessary to have a licence to sell an air weapon and has increased to 18 the age limit for acquiring or possessing an air weapon. It is probably better if we work together to implement that legislation and to review what more we need to do, instead of making cheap political points that have more to do with the campaign for independence than with a campaign against gun crime.”
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