On Tuesday, British authorities implemented new regulations regarding the possession and use of firearms following a series of violent incidents in recent years. The updated rules prohibit individuals with a history of violence or domestic abuse from holding firearms.
The UK news agency “PA Media” reported that these directives were introduced in response to concerns raised by forensic experts and activists after recent shootings in Woodmansterne and Keyham in England.
Under the new guidelines, police officers will interview partners or other family members of those applying for firearm licenses to identify any signs of domestic abuse or other factors that may render the individual unsuitable for gun ownership.
Additional checks will also be mandated to ensure that licenses are not granted to individuals with violent histories.
This decision follows a two-year investigation that uncovered “catastrophic failures” within the licensing system, which allowed Jake Davison—who perpetrated a deadly attack in Keyham, Plymouth—to obtain a shotgun despite his violent past.
At the age of 22, Davison killed his mother and four others, including a three-year-old girl, during an eight-minute shooting spree before taking his own life in August 2021.