division_name: Bill Presented &#8212; National Insurance Contributions Bill &#8212; New Clause 4 &#8212; Firearms&#8217; licensing
motion: <p pid="b.562.3/1" pwmotiontext="yes">&#8216;(1) The Firearms Act 1968 is amended as follows.</p>
  
  <p pid="b.562.3/2" pwmotiontext="yes">(2) After section 28A (Certificates: supplementary) insert&#8212;</p>
  
  <p pid="b.562.3/3" pwmotiontext="yes">&#8220;28B Assessing public safety</p>
  
  <p pid="b.562.3/4" pwmotiontext="yes">(1) When assessing the threat to public safety under sections 27, 28, 30A, 30B or 30C the Chief Police Officer must ensure that a range of background checks are performed.</p>
  
  <p pid="b.562.3/5" pwmotiontext="yes">(2) Where these checks uncover substantiated evidence of violent conduct, domestic violence, mental illness or drug or alcohol abuse, the presumption is that the Chief Police Officer should refuse the licence application unless exceptional evidence can be brought forward by the applicant as to their suitability to possess a weapon.</p>
  
  <p pid="b.562.3/6" pwmotiontext="yes">(3) When assessing public safety within this section the Chief Police Officer must follow any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.&#8221;.</p>
  
  <p pid="b.562.3/7" pwmotiontext="yes">(3) Section 113 of the Firearms Act 1968 (power of Secretary of State to alter fees) is amended as follows.</p>
  
  <p pid="b.562.3/8" pwmotiontext="yes">(4) After subsection (1) insert&#8212;</p>
  
  <p pid="b.562.3/9" pwmotiontext="yes">&#8220;(1A) Before making an order under this section the Secretary of State must consult with chief police officers to ensure the level of fees collected by the police under sections 32 and 35 are appropriate after considering the costs they incur through the administration and assessment of firearms&#8217; licences made under this Act.&#8221;.&#8217;.&#8212;<i>(Diana Johnson.)</i></p>
  
  <p class="italic" pid="b.562.3/10" pwmotiontext="yes">Brought up, and read the First time.</p>
  
  <p pid="b.562.3/11" pwmotiontext="yes"><i>Question put, </i>That the clause be read a Second time.</p>
  
  <p class="italic" pid="b.562.3/12" pwmotiontext="yes">The House divided:</p>
  
  <p pid="b.562.3/13" pwmotiontext="yes">Ayes 215, Noes 298.</p>