This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Firearm Certificates Statistics Scotland 2002
23/07/2003
A statistical bulletin published today has revealed that
the number of firearms and shot gun certificates on issue
at the end of 2002 were at the lowest level ever
recorded.
The main findings of the National Statistics Publication
include:
Firearm and shot gun certifications on
issue
There were 26,212 firearm certificates on issue at the
end of 2002, a decrease of 4 per cent (1,090) on the
previous year and the lowest number ever recorded.
There were 51,778 shot gun certificates on issue at the
end of 2002, a decrease of 5 per cent (2,856) on the
previous year, and also the lowest number ever
recorded.
Firearms and shot guns possessed on
certificate
The 26,212 firearm certificates on issue at December 31
2002 covered the possession of 60,599 firearms (2.5 per
cent increase on 2001). The 51,778 shot gun certificates on
issue covered 122,551 shot guns (0.9 per cent increase on
2001).
Applications for new firearm and shot gun
certificates
In 2002, there were 1,231 applications for a new firearm
certificate, a decrease of 7 per cent when compared with
2001. The number of applications for a new shot gun
certificate was 1,718 in 2002, 7 per cent less than the
number recorded in 2001.
Firearm and shot gun certificates on issue by
police force area
Over a quarter of all firearm certificates on issue were
in the Northern police force area, whilst Grampian and
Strathclyde jointly accounted for around a further third of
the total.
Strathclyde, Grampian and Northern police forces jointly
constituted more than half of all shot gun certificates on
issue at the end of 2002.
The number for firearm and shot gun certificates on
issue per head of population was highest in the Northern
police force area and lowest in Strathclyde.
Registered firearm dealers
There were 285 registered firearm dealers in Scotland in
2002. This was the first increase in the number of
registered dealers since 1994.
he figures detailed in this bulletin cover the period in
which changes to the firearms legislation were made
prohibiting, firstly, the possession of large calibre
handguns (above .22 calibre) and thereafter small calibre
handguns (up to and including .22 calibre).
In addition, there was a hand-in period between 1 July
and 30 September 1997 for the surrender of large calibre
handguns and a further hand-in period between 1 February
and 28 February 1998 for the surrender of small calibre
handguns.
National statistics are produced to high professional
standards set out in the National Statistics Code of
Practice. They undergo regular quality assurance reviews to
ensure that they meet customer needs. They are produced
free from any political interference.