Overview

The Firearms and Hate Crime Bill aims to improve firearms safety by restricting the storage of certain firearms and strengthening medical checks for certificate holders. It also seeks to tackle hate crime by extending legal protections against hatred based on sex or gender and recognizing misogyny as an aggravating factor in violent crimes.

Description

This bill introduces several key changes. Firstly, it makes it an offence to keep pump-action firearms in homes, with exceptions for pest controllers and farmers. Secondly, it strengthens the medical assessment process for firearms certificate applications, requiring medical practitioners to provide statements on applicants' suitability. Thirdly, it mandates the sharing of relevant mental health information between medical practitioners, the police, and the NHS concerning firearms certificate holders. Fourthly, the bill extends hate crime legislation to include hatred based on sex or gender. Finally, it establishes misogyny as an aggravating factor in sentencing for violent crimes.

Government Spending

The bill's impact on government spending is not explicitly stated, but it will likely involve additional costs associated with implementing and enforcing the new regulations, including increased administrative burdens for the police, NHS, and medical professionals. Precise figures are unavailable in the provided text.

Groups Affected

• Firearms certificate holders: Will face stricter medical checks and storage requirements for pump-action firearms.
• Pest controllers and farmers: Exempted from the pump-action firearm storage restrictions.
• Medical practitioners: Will have new obligations regarding the disclosure of mental health information relating to firearms certificate holders.
• Police forces: Will be responsible for enforcing the new firearm regulations and managing the flow of mental health information.
• NHS: Will be involved in recording and sharing mental health information.
• Individuals committing hate crimes: Will face potential prosecution under extended hate crime legislation.
• Victims of violent crimes motivated by misogyny: Will benefit from the recognition of misogyny as an aggravating factor in sentencing.

Powered by nyModel