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| Coroner calls for gun reform after Horden shootings | Coroner calls for gun reform after Horden shootings |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A coroner has called for "root and branch" gun licensing reform after ruling three women shot in a house in County Durham were unlawfully killed. | A coroner has called for "root and branch" gun licensing reform after ruling three women shot in a house in County Durham were unlawfully killed. |
| Michael Atherton, 42, shot himself, his partner Susan McGoldrick, her sister Alison Turnbull and Ms Turnbull's daughter Tanya on New Year's Day 2012. | Michael Atherton, 42, shot himself, his partner Susan McGoldrick, her sister Alison Turnbull and Ms Turnbull's daughter Tanya on New Year's Day 2012. |
| The inquest heard he legally owned weapons despite a history of domestic abuse. | The inquest heard he legally owned weapons despite a history of domestic abuse. |
| The police watchdog said Durham Police missed opportunities to assess him. | The police watchdog said Durham Police missed opportunities to assess him. |
| The inquest was told taxi driver Atherton legally owned six weapons, including three shotguns. | The inquest was told taxi driver Atherton legally owned six weapons, including three shotguns. |
| The coroner Andrew Tweddle heard Atherton had his guns confiscated in 2008 but shortly after they were returned to him with a written "final warning". | |
| Deaths 'avoidable' | |
| Mr Tweddle said the way police handled applications for shotgun and firearms licences was so inadequate it was "fortuitous" there had not been more such incidents. | Mr Tweddle said the way police handled applications for shotgun and firearms licences was so inadequate it was "fortuitous" there had not been more such incidents. |
| In his judgement, he described the deaths as "avoidable". | |
| He said: "The systemic shortcomings highlighted by me today lead me to conclude that, on a balance of probabilities, the four deceased would not have died when they did in the manner in which they did had there been robust, clear and accountable procedures in place." | |
| While he accepted no-one in the Firearms Licensing Unit was guilty of acting in bad faith, he said "the system in place at that time was not fit for purpose so that the decision-making process was flawed". | |
| He said Durham Police had conducted a thorough review of its firearms licensing practices since the tragedy in Horden, near Peterlee. | He said Durham Police had conducted a thorough review of its firearms licensing practices since the tragedy in Horden, near Peterlee. |
| "The review undertaken by Durham Police has revealed an enormous number of unsatisfactory decisions having been made," he said. | "The review undertaken by Durham Police has revealed an enormous number of unsatisfactory decisions having been made," he said. |
| Mr Tweddle added that shotgun and firearms licensing was being considered by the Government. | |
| "In my opinion, the issues revealed by my inquiries into these deaths have made it absolutely clear and beyond doubt that a root and branch review of policy, guidance and procedures and indeed possibly legislation too, to ensure ... that the protection of the public is paramount," he said. | |
| Durham Police said it had reviewed thousands of gun licences since the deaths and revoked more than 100. | Durham Police said it had reviewed thousands of gun licences since the deaths and revoked more than 100. |
| Nicholas Long from the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said the force had "missed valuable opportunities" to assess Atherton's suitability to be granted a licence. | Nicholas Long from the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said the force had "missed valuable opportunities" to assess Atherton's suitability to be granted a licence. |
| "Not only did the IPCC investigation uncover a wanton lack of intrusive inquiries by Durham Constabulary, it also identified poor practices which reflect woeful record keeping," he said. | "Not only did the IPCC investigation uncover a wanton lack of intrusive inquiries by Durham Constabulary, it also identified poor practices which reflect woeful record keeping," he said. |
| 'Serious flaws' | |
| "While some of the failings were down to individuals, the underlying issue was Durham Constabulary's lack of adequate systems and safeguards. The force did not have clear policies or procedures in place for dealing with issues presented by an applicant like Atherton." | "While some of the failings were down to individuals, the underlying issue was Durham Constabulary's lack of adequate systems and safeguards. The force did not have clear policies or procedures in place for dealing with issues presented by an applicant like Atherton." |
| Giving evidence at the inquest, Durham Police Chief Constable Mike Barton said prior to the shootings the firearms licensing unit was too focused on administration and not enough on investigating whether applicants should be granted licences. | Giving evidence at the inquest, Durham Police Chief Constable Mike Barton said prior to the shootings the firearms licensing unit was too focused on administration and not enough on investigating whether applicants should be granted licences. |
| Outside the hearing, Bobby Turnbull, Alison's son and Tanya's brother, said: "We consider the inquest has exposed some serious flaws in the way applications for shotguns and firearms were managed by Durham Constabulary Firearms Licensing Unit. | Outside the hearing, Bobby Turnbull, Alison's son and Tanya's brother, said: "We consider the inquest has exposed some serious flaws in the way applications for shotguns and firearms were managed by Durham Constabulary Firearms Licensing Unit. |
| "This includes lack of training, if any at all, lack of process, lack of accountability, poor leadership and poor communication structure. | "This includes lack of training, if any at all, lack of process, lack of accountability, poor leadership and poor communication structure. |
| "The family have had a very emotional and upsetting week but we will continue with our commitment to improvements to public safety, to ensure no other family have to endure what we have gone through and will go through for the rest of our lives." | "The family have had a very emotional and upsetting week but we will continue with our commitment to improvements to public safety, to ensure no other family have to endure what we have gone through and will go through for the rest of our lives." |