David Palmer · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 3rd November 2015 I commenced an investigation into the death of David Palmer age 59. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 10th February 2016. The conclusion of the inquest was Narrative Verdict.

Mr Palmer had a licence for 3 firearms which were kept in a locked cabinet. He also had a shot gun with a 5 cartridge magazine which was unlicensed and which he did not keep in his gun cabinet in against the possibility of a spot check by Police Officers. He suffered from Lung Cancer and died as a result of a massive head in jury from his unlicensed shot gun.

In the three and a half years I have investigated 4 deaths resulting from self-inflicted firearm wounds. Three of those involved unlicensed weapons. These weapons are generally not stored securely and are thus available for impulsive use.

1 Making public the practice I understand to be in place to the effect that the surrender of an unlicensed firearm does not usually result in prosecution might usefully be considered.