INFER TRUST ANNUAL REPORT ON ACTIVITIES - 1 January to 31 December 2021
We continue to offer support, advice and networking opportunities to those affected by gun misuse.
We also continue to respond to contacts from members of the press, students, those affected by gun misuse and the general public requiring comments, interviews and information. We thank colleagues for their willingness to meet these requests often at short notice.
Much of our work involves capturing and logging details of press reports relating to gun incidents which come to our attention from media sources published in England Scotland and Wales. This year we have captured over 1800 reports, collecting valuable data and identifying trends.
Status of Guns Used in Crime and Suicide
We note an absence of information regarding the status of guns used in crime, and continued difficulties in sourcing information relating to weapons used in gun suicides since coroners conducting inquests are not required to place details of the type, or status of weapons used, in the public domain. This lack of transparency prevents comprehensive data collection.
Section 28 (PFD) Letters
We note circumstances where troubled young men have accessed a gun in their home, and used it to end their life. We welcome PFD Letters from coroners drawing attention to their concerns about circumstances of gun deaths in the hope of preventing future deaths, but we note that there have been a number of missed opportunities to draw attention to issues, where measures might have been taken to prevent future deaths in similar circumstances.
We remain concerned about the number of licensed gun owners who take their own lives and note that at inquests the deceased were frequently revealed to have been suffering from e.g. depression, anxiety,
stress, financial and/ relationship difficulties, and in some cases receiving treatment from GPs, whilst continuing to live with accessible guns and ammunition in the home. It is our hope that with new statutory guidance and GP markers on the medical records of gun owners, these tragic cases will reduce as GPs alert Firearms Licensing Departments of significant changes in the health of a licensed gun owning patient.
Government Consultation on Firearms Safety
We note from media reports that airguns continue to be the most frequently used weapon-type involved in gun incidents. We are disappointed that the responses to the Review on airguns, instigated in 2017 have not been made fully transparent. A further ‘Consultation on Firearms Safety’ was launched, which, as well as other weapons, included questions relating to airguns. The Government response on the issue of airguns and children being that, with permission from landowners, children between the ages of 14 and 17 can continue to shoot without supervision on private land. Families and others we work with believe that this decision is one which compromises safety.
Tasers
We note an increase in the use of Tasers by police officers, and a significant number of deaths and injuries following the use of police Tasers. We are aware of a number of incidents after which officers have been prosecuted following their use of Tasers on victims, some of whom have sustained life changing injuries and others who have died. We note an IOPC Report following a five year review of Taser use, which raised a number of concerns which we share.
In the interests of public safety we are calling for all police officers carrying Tasers to be provided with, and activate, body cameras during all Taser incidents. The use of body cameras will ensure accountability; reduce the number of assaults suffered by officers, and increase public safety and public trust.
We continue to redirect, as appropriate, confidential information and concerns received from members of the public relating to gun owners, individuals with access to guns, the activities and governance of gun clubs, shooting ranges, shooting events, and concerns about inappropriate relationships between members of the shooting community and police officers forged through shared interests in shooting activities, gun club membership, interclub events and social occasions.
Statement of finance
There has been no income or expenditure during this period.
Gill Marshall-Andrews
Trustee
6 September 2022