Emma Lewell-Buck joined Labour MPs in voting for tougher gun controls on Tuesday, as the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill was debated in the House of Commons.
Labour tabled an amendment to the Bill that would prevent people with a history of violent offences, domestic violence, mental illness or substance abuse from obtaining a firearms licence.
Coalition MPs, however, voted against the amendment, meaning it did not go forward as part of the final Bill and will not become law.
The amendment was designed to prevent cases like that of Michael Atherton, who shot and killed his partner, as well as her sister and niece, in County Durham last year. Mr Atherton used a legally owned firearm, which he was permitted to own even though the police noted he had a previous caution for assault and four documented cases of domestic violence.
Emma sat on the Committee for this Bill earlier this year, when Labour MPs raised this case.
Emma said:
“I am disappointed that the Government has not taken this opportunity to create stronger protections for members of the public.
“Firearms are of course extremely dangerous and we should be very selective about which people are allowed to own them. Tragedies like the shooting last January make this very clear.”