Plymouth shooting: Inquest told of confusion in gun licence unit

A man who shot five people dead will not be the only case of somebody with a violent history being issued a shotgun licence, an inquest has heard.

The inquest is into the deaths of those killed by Jake Davison in Plymouth in 2021.

The jury heard confusion in the Devon and Cornwall Police firearms licensing unit was widespread and long-term.

It also heard staff training recommendations made in the wake of the Dunblane massacre were not followed.

The inquest heard the supervisor of the firearms licensing unit did not know how to use a "risk matrix" used to assess applications.

Devon and Cornwall Police firearms licensing supervisor Stephen Carder told the inquest he had not been aware until the inquest of a section on the gun licence application form relating to the risk matrix.

Bridget Dolan KC, who is asking questions on behalf of the coroner, said: "If you as a supervisor are not even looking at it - this was a fundamental problem in the way that risk is being managed and assessed by the firearms licensing unit."

Mr Carder replied: "Yes."

The inquest at Exeter Racecourse heard Mr Carder had misunderstood which licence applications should have been signed off by a manager.

Ms Dolan said: "Jake Davison is not going to be the only one where a misunderstanding applies.

"There will be a number of other people who have a history of violence where you still thought it was right to give them a certificate."

Mr Carder replied: "That is correct, yes."

The unit issued a shotgun licence to Davison in 2017.

His weapon was seized in 2020 following an assault he committed against teenagers, but was returned to him in July 2021.

Dominic Adamson KC, who represents some of the families of the victims, asked Mr Carder about an email to staff in February 2018.

He said: "Do I understand the tone of the email correctly that you were concerned there could have been five years of bad decision making?"

Mr Carder agreed that was one interpretation.

Referring to firearms licensing unit staff not using the risk matrix to assess applications, Mr Adamson said: "This was not just isolated individuals was it, it was across the department?"

Mr Carder replied: "Yes."

The inquest heard Mr Carder did not receive any relevant training for 20 years.

The hearing was told Lord Cullen recommended more stringent training for gun licensing staff in a public inquiry which followed the Dunblane massacre in which 16 pupils and a teacher were killed.

The jury heard the only training specific to firearms licensing given to Mr Carder was a two-day course in 1998.

Ms Dolan asked Mr Carder: "Does that seem to suggest that guidance and recommendations that came out of Dunblane had simply been forgotten?"

Mr Carder replied: "It would appear so, yes."

Ms Dolan said: "Not just for a year or two - for 22 years there had been nothing available to you?"

Mr Carder replied: "No."

The inquest hearing continues.

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