Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has met representatives of the (a) FCSA UK club or (b) National Rifle Association to discuss her Department's proposals on banning .50 calibre rifles.

On 14 October the Government launched a public consultation on proposals to strengthen controls on offensive and dangerous weapons, including the prohibition of two types of firearm: .50 calibre ‘materiel destruction’ rifles and rapid fire rifles, such as the VZ58 Manually Actuated Release System (MARS) rifle. The consultation closes on 9 December.

The Fifty Calibre Shooters Association has requested a meeting with officials to discuss the proposals and this is being arranged. We have not had a similar request from the National Rifle Association but would welcome their views.