Emma Ambler Calls for Legislative Changes Following Family Tragedy

Emma Ambler, the twin sister of Kelly Fitzgibbons, who was tragically shot alongside her two daughters by her partner, is urging reforms to the UK’s firearms legislation. The incident, which occurred in March 2020, saw Kelly, 40, and her daughters Ava and Lexi, aged four and two, killed with a legally-held shotgun by Robert Needham, their father, before he turned the weapon on himself.

An inquest revealed that Needham, a cocaine user, had been granted a shotgun certificate despite lying on his application about previous mental health issues and a police caution from his youth. In response to this tragedy, Emma has established the Kelly Fitzgibbons Foundation to advocate for stricter gun laws.

“We believe several changes need to be made regarding gun licensing,” Mrs Ambler stated. “These changes could be implemented immediately and would save lives. For instance, individuals caught lying on their application should not be granted a gun licence, as was the case with Rob.”

She also emphasised the importance of more frequent reviews of firearms and shotgun certificates, pointing out that the current five-year renewal period is insufficient. “At my sister’s inquest, three police officers suggested that reviews should be annual, yet this is not happening due to a lack of resources,” she added.

Mrs Ambler supports aligning shotgun legislation with stricter regulations for other firearms, such as rifles, which require applicants to provide two referees and a valid reason for ownership. “People should clearly explain their purpose for wanting a firearm, and that should be verified,” she argued. She believes that storing both the gun and ammunition at home should not be permitted if shooting is only allowed on designated land.

She further suggested increasing the application fee to support more thorough background checks, stating, “The current fee is cheaper than a fishing licence, and I do not want my taxes subsidising someone’s gun licence, especially when the NHS is struggling.”

Ambler also highlighted the need for better communication between GPs and police regarding changes in a gun holder’s health. “Currently, GPs are only required to use best efforts to inform the police of any health changes. This should be mandatory to ensure nothing is overlooked,” she stressed.

She agrees with MP Luke Pollard’s campaign for firearms reform, which includes proposals to ban pump-action shotguns from homes. Additionally, she is calling for improved training for firearms enquiry officers, criticising their lack of thoroughness during assessments. “Many licensing officers have minimal training and do not seem to take their responsibilities seriously,” she noted.

Mrs Ambler concluded, “Right now, it feels like having a gun is prioritised over public safety. Owning a firearm should be a privilege, not a right.”