In its report, published in December, the cross-party committee of MPs concluded that police forces should not have to foot the bill for firearms licenses, and called for the UK government to reform licensing fees.

In response, the government has committed to consulting on this change, where individuals who use firearms for leisure should pay the full cost of their applications, and others to use firearms for work purposes could continue to have their applications partly funded.

The government is also consulting on recommendations made by the committee on a ‘buddy system’, enabling individuals – such as a firearms club liaison officer – to recognise and raise concerns about their ‘buddy’s’ mental health.

The committee also called for a review of character references required when applying for a license, and a review of the duration of firearms licences. The government is consulting on both these issues.

Pete Wishart MP, chair of the Scottish Affairs Committee, said: “We’re glad to see the government is taking forward many of our recommendations and will be consulting on further action. Firearms incidents can have terrible, heartbreaking effects on individuals, families and communities. At the end of last year, we produced a report with a series of recommendations aimed at improving the licensing of firearms, to minimise the occurrence of these awful tragedies and we’d encourage affected communities to feed thoughts into the government’s consultation.

“We thank the government for the considered response to our report and, as a committee, will be following progress in this area closely.”

The government’s consultation is open until 23 August and can be accessed here.