Gun licenses to be linked to medical records

'Keyhamd's Law' makes progress

The government has confirmed that applications for firearms licenses are to be linked to medical records.

What is being dubbed 'Keyham’s Law' in reference to shootings in Plymouth last August in which five people were killed, the area's MP Luke Pollard MP, who introduced the measure to parliament has received an answer to a written question. 

Health minister Maria Caulfield MP has confirmed for the first time that "the department is working with the Home Office and NHS Digital to develop a national firearms digital marker for use within general practice."

It is hoped that these markers would stop those who could be a danger with a weapon from holding one.
 
In the answer to another parliamentary question, Home Office minister Kit Malthouse MP said: "the marker helps with monitoring of firearms certificate holders by alerting GPs to advise the police if there are any changes in relevant medical conditions" so that "the police force can assess whether a person remains suitable to possess a firearm certificate."
 
Mr Pollard said: "This is a huge step forward in our campaign to get gun licenses and medical records linked.
 
"When I met with the minister alongside the families of the victims from Keyham, he was very positive about making this happen. This is the first time we've had confirmation of this in black and white.
 
“No one experiencing a mental health crisis should have access to a firearm for the protection of themselves and other people. Linking medical records and gun certificates will help alert authorities to review their suitability to keep a gun if someone presents with a mental health problem. It is a step forward to stopping another incident like the Keyham shooting ever happening again.”