WEDNESDAY 11 DECEMBER 2002

MS JANE MORRICE, MS ANGELA COURTNEY OBE AND MR CHRIS LYTTLE

  440. My final question follows on nicely from the last point you made and that is that, whilst it would be in a perfect world okay for checks to be made before the licence is given, in many cases the licence will already have been given but the report of a violent man or woman in a relationship will not necessarily find its way into the hands of those re-issuing the licence. Would the Coalition back more stringent assessment in domestic violence cases where violence has been used by either partner and of that information being presented to those responsible for the re-issue of certificates to prevent a gun continuing to be held by a violent person?
  (Ms Morrice) I can reply for the Coalition and I say, absolutely, and then I will pass over to Angela for the expertise.
  (Ms Courtnay) That would be my advice as well and I think the police would hold that view too, that where they go to a domestic violence incident they ask the question and they revoke the licence.

  441. And report and record that?
  (Ms Courtnay) I am not sure because I know that they are looking at their systems but if it is not reported and recorded then there should be an administrative mechanism to ensure that it is.

  442. I want to turn to a different issue which is the use within society, in this case the Northern Ireland Society, of imitation firearms and the threats that they pose. Do you as a group or the Coalition or as individuals have comments you wish to make about the problems associated in society with imitation firearms?
  (Ms Morrice) Yes, we do have serious concerns about imitation firearms as well. I am aware that there are certain groups who have called for a ban on the manufacture and import of imitation firearms. We have not gone that far, although we would be very prepared to. There are two types: the plastic style replica and the type that can be converted into a real firearm, which obviously is the more dangerous. We certainly welcome the legislation that is talking about the possession of an imitation firearm with intent being on a par with a real firearm. We think that is very important that that is included because the threat is exactly the same. We have not gone as far as to call for a ban on manufacture although we could be encouraged to do so.
  (Ms Morrice) I cannot understand the value of an imitation weapon, if not to be used in some form of threat. What else can it be used for?

  443. Do you agree that it is part of this educative process in reducing and minimalising the gun culture, that all the while that we have a gun culture there will be a market for imitation firearms both as toys but also by those who have an affection, if that word could be used, in terms of the number of gun magazines that we see in our shops, to almost have an affection and an admiration for that type of firearm?
  (Ms Morrice) You have said it with the sort of disdain in your voice that certainly I can appreciate. It is an abhorrence, this type of affection that you talk about, which is totally incomprehensible to many of us. The problem is that it is going to be very difficult. A child, especially a boy child, is going to use a stick if they do not get a gun, but I suppose, let him use the stick to pretend he has got a gun. Why give him something that looks exactly like something he could use as a lethal weapon when he grows up? It is a gun culture which definitely we want this society to turn its back on. It is vitally important that we do because it has done us absolutely no good. We want people to look at Northern Ireland and see that we are coming out of it. It is important at every level to move away from that gun culture.

  Chairman: We asked you whether you wanted to come to give evidence to us because we particularly wanted to hear another side to the story from those who volunteered to come and give us evidence. We are very grateful to you all for coming. Thank you for some very useful comments which will be reflected in our report.