Overview

The Firearms and Hate Crime Bill aims to increase firearm safety by restricting the storage of certain firearms and strengthening medical checks for certificate holders. It also seeks to combat hate crime by extending hate speech laws to include sex and gender, and by classifying misogyny as an aggravating factor in violent crime sentencing.

Description

This bill makes several key changes to UK law:

Firearm Regulations:

• Pump-action firearm storage: Makes it an offense to keep pump-action firearms in homes, with exceptions for farmers and pest controllers. These individuals must store their firearms at approved locations (shooting clubs or registered dealers).
• Enhanced medical checks: Amends the Firearms Act 1968 to require medical practitioner statements on applicants' suitability for firearms certificates before issuing them.
• Mental health disclosures: Requires medical professionals to report mental health concerns of firearm certificate holders to the police, who will share this information with the National Health Service.

Hate Crime Provisions:

• Extending hate speech laws: Adds sex and gender as protected characteristics under hate speech legislation in the Public Order Act 1986.
• Misogyny as an aggravating factor: Designates misogyny (hostility or prejudice towards women) as an aggravating factor in sentencing for violent crimes.

Government Spending

The bill's financial implications are not explicitly stated in the provided text. Costs may arise from the implementation of new regulations, increased administrative burdens on the police and NHS, and potential legal challenges.

Groups Affected

• Firearm owners: Particularly those owning pump-action firearms, who will face restrictions on storage. Those applying for firearms certificates will undergo more rigorous medical checks.
• Farmers and pest controllers: Exempted from the pump-action firearm storage restrictions, but still subject to storage requirements at approved locations.
• Medical practitioners: Will have new obligations to disclose information regarding the mental health of firearm certificate holders.
• Police forces: Will have increased administrative responsibilities related to firearms certificates and hate crime reporting.
• National Health Service: Will be responsible for recording and making available relevant mental health information.
• Individuals who commit violent crimes motivated by misogyny: Face harsher sentences.
• Individuals who stir up hatred based on sex or gender: Face prosecution under expanded hate speech laws.

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