U-turn over checks on tenants' firearms

Council tenants are being allowed to keep firearms in their homes after councillors scrapped plans to put together a database of any gun owners living in Sandwell Council's 30,000 properties.

It had sent tenants a letter detailing proposed changes to their tenancy conditions, one of which required owners of licensed firearms to obtain the council's written permission to keep them in a council property. The plans were abandoned after tenants voted against the changes.

Councillor Elaine Costigan, of Wednesbury North, said she was confused by the decision.

"If people have firearms for legitimate reasons then what is the problems with letting the council know?" she said.

"These weapons already have to be declared to the police.

"With all the gun crime going on these days I would have thought it prudent of the council to have some kind of record of where guns are being kept."

The British Association for Shooting and Conservation has praised Sandwell Council, saying there would be dangers in keeping a database which identifies where firearms owners live.

BASC's director of communications, Christopher Graffius, said: "Police make thorough checks before issuing licences and also check that firearms are being securely stored in accordance with the law.

"The council is to be congratulated for listening to their tenants and making a common-sense decision."

Sandwell's housing chief, Councillor Mahboob Hussain, said: "This is one of several proposals that have been made to bring our tenancy conditions up to date.

"As always, we seek the views of tenants before going ahead with any proposed changes.

"We have had significant feedback on this issue and so far it is clear that there is very little support for this suggestion.

"We have also taken advice from the West Midlands Police."