Tragedy of Plymouth shooting could effect community for 'their entire lifetime'
Plymouth Sutton and Devonport MP Luke Pollard says steps must be taken to ensure that this never happens ever again
A Plymouth MP says the firearms licencing system needs a 'top to bottom' reform to 'fix a broken system'.
Luke Pollard, for Sutton and Devonport, has spoken to us almost six months on from the fatal shooting in Keyham - where five people were shot dead by 22-year-old Jake Davison.
He says it was a welcome move from the government to put in some steps to look at the guidance around firearms days after the incident in August, but adds that the system needs to be looked at again.
The Labour politician says there should also be a public debate around our relationship with guns.
The killings happened just weeks after the shotgun and licence had been returned to Davison by Devon and Cornwall Police.
They had been seized in 2020 after he had assaulted two teenagers in a park.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating how the force approved his application and then later gave him back the licence and shotgun.
As well as the coroner and IOPC's investigations, the National Police Chiefs' Council is also leading an inquiry, in conjunction with the local police and crime commissioner, into the force's firearms policies and procedures.
WATCH: Luke Pollard MP reflects six months on from Keyham shooting
Pollard said: "There are lessons that need to be learned from Keyham and it's right and proper that the police investigations, the police watchdog and the inquest is given time to do the detailed work and come up with recommendations.
"What I worry about is the fact that the tragedy was not Devon specific"
"There was nothing that said that could only happen in Plymouth. It could happen in any of our communities nationwide at any time."
Pollard adds: "I think we can also have a better understanding of stopping people - particularly young men - falling into that really toxic, incel misogynistic place, especially online. As well as how we can get better support for people suffering from mental health crisis.
"There's lots of work to be done, but for me it seems we're at the start of a campaign; we're not at the end of it yet."
Luke Pollard - Plymouth Sutton & Devonport MP
Following the tragedy, the Home Office announced that the police will now have to check someone's medical history before issuing a gun licence.
All firearms applications must be accompanied by a medical document signed by a registered, practising doctor.
Alison Hernandez, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, tells us that the new guidance is being implemented; but adds that it 'has been a challenge':
"We’re struggling really and the NHS are struggling to try and provide that assurance.
"There are challenges around the delays because we’ve got an extra bit of the process to do - which I think is absolutely valid - but I’m sure it’s affecting our firearms licencing holders with a bit of frustration.
"We were asking for this information before but the NHS didn’t have to supply it, and if they didn’t supply it, the force had to make a decision as to whether or not to issue the licence. Well, now it’s getting to the point where they have to tell us."
"But it’s being implemented, so every new application will go through this process and we’re making sure the efforts are going in as an extra requirement.
"It’s definitely the right thing to do."
Alison Hernandez - Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
It was thought that Davison, who had suffered mental health problems, could have been influenced by 'incel' culture.
An incel is an abbreviation of 'involuntary celibate'. They are defined as being a member of an online subculture of people who describe themselves as unable to get a romantic or sexual partner despite desiring one.