The father of a convicted Fort William drug dealer will have to wait to find out if he can have his firearms licence restored.
David Cameron, 59, a keen deer stalker, raised a civil action against Scotland’s chief constable, Philip Gormley, after his application to renew his licence was not approved and remains outstanding.
Police seized rifles, silencers and ammunition from Mr Cameron’s house at Grant Place, Claggan, on May 28, 2015, as they believed his son would be staying there during a home visit from prison.
Michael Cameron, 36, a heroin addict, was jailed for six years at the High Court in Edinburgh on June 29, 2013, after drugs were found in the granny flat he occupied at the family home. He is due to be released next week.
The action continued at Fort William Sheriff Court yesterday, when Fraser Lamb, a retired chief inspector responsible for firearms licensing decisions for the whole of Scotland, said: “David Cameron knew Michael was convicted for supplying drugs, including heroin. But his attitude was that he had served his punishment and now it should be forgotten about.
“Mr Cameron’s last firearms certificate expired on May 17, 2015. He applied for a renewal but, as inquiries were not complete, a temporary permit was issued which expired on June 18, 2015.”
Mr Lamb, 51, added: “I was also concerned as Michael Cameron refused to take a drugs test in prison. There is a well documented link between drugs, firearms and violence. If there is a firearm used in a murder, there is usually a drugs link. He was known as the biggest drug dealer in Fort William for a number of years.”
The police case also claims David Cameron is an unsuitable person to have a guns licence because he is a “known associate” of James Kennedy, 73, who had his weapons certificate revoked due to poaching convictions.
Stephen Kennedy, Mr Cameron’s solicitor, said: “He sees James Kennedy a few times every so often but he is not a close friend.
“If David Cameron was standing on his own, his firearms licence would be granted. He has made robust security arrangements for his firearms and there is no potential for access. Michael will not be returning to the family home on his release, but will be staying in homeless accommodation.”
Carla Fraser, representing the chief constable, said: “Both parents are not convinced that their son is guilty and think the police have conspired against him. When police searched the granny flat for drugs, Michael Cameron came down the stairs brandishing a baseball bat. This shows his willingness to use a weapon.”
Sheriff William Murray QC said he would issue a draft judgement – which could become final – in a month. The hearing will continue on Monday, July 17.
