Don't blame the law - fix the system

Roger Seddon, shooting campaign manager for the Countryside Alliance, argues an improved shotgun licensing regime would better address public safety concerns than new legislation

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GUN control these are two words more associated with news originating from the United States, not from the UK, largely because our firearms laws are pretty much the most stringent you'll find in the world.

However, this topic is coming to the fore in the UK, which should be cause concern for the half a million shotgun owners in England, Scotland and Wales, of whom well over 50,000 live in the counties covered by the Western Morning News.

Those of us who own and use guns legitimately accept that gun ownership is more of a responsibility than a right, also accepting that such stringent laws play into our favour.

By preventing the wrong people getting hold of licensed firearms, our ability to continue using guns to protect crops and livestock, carry out conservation work and enjoy shooting sports is protected.