Woman, 103, among 1,500 over-90s granted SHOTGUN licence by cops in ‘truly shocking’ development
A WOMAN of 103 has been granted a shotgun licence by police.
She is one of 1,526 people over 90 — and is the oldest — in England and Wales given a firearms certificate, Home Office figures show.
Experts and gun campaigners fear age-related memory problems such as dementia, coupled with deadly weapons, could lead to disaster.
Brighton University professor Peter Squires said: “The huge number of very elderly people with gun licences is really concerning.
“Unlike a driving licence, there is no requirement to retake a test to prove you are still able to possess a gun.”
Firearms certificates last five years and holders must disclose health issues.
Bedfordshire Police also granted a shotgun licence to a ten-year-old last year — one of 1,157 under-18s to be given a licence in 2024, with 78 aged 13 and under.
Anti-gun campaigner Emma Ambler, whose twin sister Kelly Fitzgibbons was murdered with a legally-held shotgun in 2020, said: “It’s truly shocking that children and elderly people are among those in possession of a licence.
“If something doesn’t change soon, we will be heading the same way as America.”
Parents of kids who apply undergo suitability checks.
Bedfordshire cops said the ten-year-old was in a gun club.
Sussex Police, which issued the licence to the 103-year-old, said: “Every licence application or renewal is subject to a risk assessment.”