Review the Mandatory Minimum Five-Year Prison Sentence for Firearms Offences

Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to review whether the mandatory minimum five-year prison sentence for possession of prohibited firearms under the Firearms Act 1968 continues to deliver proportionate justice and effective public safety outcomes in all circumstances.

My petition asks for a review of whether the current legislation remains the most effective and proportionate approach in all circumstances, rather than calling for the removal of serious penalties altogether.

While I understand aspects of firearms legislation are reserved to the UK Parliament, I believe the Scottish Parliament still has an important role in considering the impact of sentencing policy on Scotland’s justice system and in making representations where concerns about proportionality and fairness arise.