Thirteen children under the age of 10 have been issued with shotgun certificates in the UK over the past three years.

The youngest child to be granted a licence was seven years old, figures obtained by BBC News show.

Last year, the Association of Chief Police Officers suggested that under-10s are banned from using shotguns.

But the British Association for Shooting and Conservation says children use shotguns for sports activities.

The statistics were released by 51 police forces under the Freedom of Information Act. Dorset was the only constabulary not to provide information.

Between 2008 and 2010, 7,071 licences were issued to under 18 year olds.

Devon and Cornwall police granted the most certificates, 418, followed by West Mercia, 346, and Norfolk, 324.
No minimum age

Ten shotgun certificates were issued to nine year olds. Two forces - West Mercia and Cumbria - each approved a licence application for an eight year old.

In 2008, Gloucestershire police granted a licence to a seven-year-old child.
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“Start Quote

Age is irrelevant. It's the mental aptitude, and the stability of the family, that decides it, the age doesn't decide it at all”

End Quote Steve Bloomfield British Assoc for Shooting and Conservation

Under current laws, there is no minimum age for applying for a shotgun certificate in the UK. The decision to grant a licence rests with a senior police officer.

But when using a shotgun, children must be supervised by an adult until they turn 15.

The British Association for Sports and Conservation says children use shotguns for sports such as clay pigeon shooting, and on family-run farms.

Spokesman Steve Bloomfield said age was "irrelevant" as the decision on granting a licence is made by a very experienced police officer who will visit the family involved.

He added that the certificate simply allowed for a child to be trained and educated by an adult.

"It's far better to take a young person with their parents, or to a club, and allow them to use that shotgun and be trained from whatever age," he said.

"And the age is irrelevant. It's the mental aptitude, and the stability of the family, and the stature of that young person that decides it, the age doesn't decide it at all."

Last October, the Commons Home Affairs Committee reported that a "large number" of young people enjoyed shooting in a safe and responsible manner.

But the committee was told by Assistant Chief Constable Adrian Whiting, lead spokesman on firearms legislation for the Association of Chief Police Officers, that there should be an "absolute minimum age" of 10 for shooting with firearms and shotguns.
Public protection

Ten is the age of criminal responsibility in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The Home Affairs Committee concluded that the laws be "simplified and clarified" and that there was "no good reason" to maintain the current differences in age restrictions between shotguns and firearms - where people have to be 14 before being granted a licence.

The Home Office is currently reviewing firearms laws and is expected to publish its response to the Committee's report by early summer.

A spokesman said: "Public protection is the first duty of any government and our firearms laws are among the toughest in the world.

"It is right that we keep them under review and we are prepared to tighten them further if necessary. Those controls must also be proportionate and fair and all options are on the table.

"We are carefully considering the recommendations made by the Home Affairs Select Committee, the Association of Chief Police Officers and any issues raised in the parliamentary debate, before deciding what further action might be necessary."


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12840557