RE Bishop Auckland MP Helen Goodman’s call for a review of gun laws which mean there is no legal minimum age limit for shotgun licences (Echo, Jan 28).

Firstly, to obtain a shotgun certificate a youngster must satisfy their constabulary they have no criminal record, have a place to shoot and be capable of using a shotgun safely.

Secondly, they must be supervised by an adult who possesses a shotgun certificate.

In most cases it is a parent.

Thirdly, guns must be securely locked away in a police-approved gun cabinet which youngsters are not allowed access to.

Fourthly, most young people start with clay shooting taught through one-to-one supervision.

The only time the gun is removed from the shotgun sleeve is when both are on the firing line.

I will be 73 this year, started shooting a shotgun at 11 and am the fifth generation of a shooting family. I have taught many youngsters, some of whom have gone on to represent their country.

Miss Goodman would do better concentrating on more important matters than attacking young shooters. As the law stands, it cannot be improved for the legitimate shotgun shooter. If ownership of guns were banned then only criminals would have them.

Name supplied, Bishop Auckland.

YOUR story, “‘Foolish’ law allows gun licences to under-16s”

(Echo Jan 28), demonstrates that Bishop Auckland MP Helen Goodman does not know much about the shooting sports.

She obviously has little knowledge of the depth of checks carried out by police before anyone of any age is allowed to hold a shotgun certificate.

Although she acknowledges that guns have to be held in stringent conditions of security, does she know anything about the strict safety code practised by the shooting community?

Youngsters are taught the safety rules before they are allowed to even pick up a gun, and British shooting safety is the envy of the world.

She need not take my word for that: shooting insurance with £5m public liability cover is extremely cheap as part of membership of the main shooting organisations – and insurance companies aren’t exactly famed as charitable organisations.

In the UK, shooting is a family sport and youngsters shoot under the supervision of adults.

Shotgun shooting disciplines are also Olympic and Commonwealth Games sports at which British shooters excel. To deny the sport to youngsters would be yet more needless government interference in practices already proven safe.

Name supplied, Aycliffe, Co Durham.