Call for Accountability and Reform in Firearms Licensing Following Inquest Findings

The families of the victims of Jake Davison’s shooting spree in Plymouth have expressed their outrage over the “series of failings” that allowed such a tragedy to occur. The attack, which took place on August 12, 2021, claimed the lives of three-year-old Sophie Martyn, her father Lee, 43, Stephen Washington, 59, and Kate Shepherd, 66. It is regarded as one of the worst mass shootings in UK history.

In a statement released through their lawyers, the families stated, “It is beyond us how Davison, a man with a known history of violence, mental health issues, and with no real need to own a firearm, was granted a licence to possess a gun in the first place.” They condemned the authorities for ignoring warning signs and enabling Davison to obtain a firearm, saying, “A licence to kill was granted.”

Their comments came after an inquest jury concluded that the deaths were unlawful, emphasizing that while the inquest may have ended, the families’ suffering will continue. “On August 12, 2021, our lives were changed forever,” they said, expressing their ongoing grief and confusion over the motivations behind Davison’s actions. “It was an act of pure evil.”

The families criticized the Devon and Cornwall Police for their handling of firearms licensing, asserting that the evidence presented during the inquest revealed “breathtaking incompetence and systemic failings” within the police force’s firearms unit. They highlighted the irrational decision to return Davison’s shotgun and certificate after he had assaulted two teenagers, calling it a prime example of how the system failed to protect the public.

“There was a culture of granting people firearms licences against a background of serious concern,” they stated, demanding accountability from those responsible for issuing such licences. They noted that those making decisions lacked proper training, supervision, and auditing, contributing to a “shambles” within the licensing process.

The families accused senior police officers of attempting to “defend the indefensible” during the inquest, feeling that there was a lack of remorse or acknowledgment of the mistakes made by the police and other agencies involved. “It has been extremely difficult for us to watch,” they said, insisting on the need for change rather than mere apologies.

In light of the findings, the families are advocating for a comprehensive overhaul of firearms licensing regulations in England and Wales. “We hope that change can come so no other family has to endure the torment of what we have been, and still are, going through,” they stated, emphasizing their commitment to ensuring that future tragedies can be prevented through systemic reform.