Emma Ambler sister of Kelly Fitzgibbons calls for tougher gun checks

Emma Ambler set up the Kelly Fitzgibbons Foundation in memory of her 40-year-old sister Kelly Fitzgibbons, who was killed by Paul Needham on March 29, 2020, in Woodmancote.

Needham also killed his daughters Ava and Lexi Needham, who were four and two, before turning the gun on himself.

The foundation will push for more stringent gun controls and support victims’ families.

In her first broadcast interview Ms Ambler told the BBC she was “shocked” at how easy it was to get a gun licence and said tougher checks could have prevented the deaths of her sister and nieces, as Needham withheld important admissions regarding his health and criminal record in his gun application.

Read more: Murdered family: Coroner delivers conclusions

Evidence emerged during the inquest earlier this year that the 42-year-old had failed to disclose important details about his medical history – including periods of depression and work-related stress – and a police caution he received as a youth, in his application for his gun licence in 2016.

Read more: Father bought gun days before killing partner and young children, inquest hears

Kelly, Ava and Lexi were killed at their home in Woodmancote

Ms Ambler told the BBC: "If Rob hadn't had access to such a deadly weapon, there's a chance that Kelly, Ava and Lexi could still be here.

"This could have been prevented if gun licensing guidance was tougher."

Kelly’s family want to see people who lie on their applications banned from re-applying, as well as licences to be reviewed more frequently.

They also want closer working between GPs and police forces and for people with recurring periods of depression to be barred from getting a licence.

Read more: Killing of mother and young daughters 'incomprehensible’ says sister

Sussex Police said they remained “fully committed” to maintaining public safety and said the force was compliant with the new national Statutory Guidance for Firearms Licensing, which was introduced in 2021.

Chief Superintendent Jerry Westerman, of Sussex Police Operations Command, said: “Our thoughts remain very much with the families involved at this difficult time. We have closely supported them and kept them updated throughout the investigation and subsequent inquest.

“Officers from the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team carried out a thorough investigation in order to establish exactly what happened, and to the best of their abilities, tried to determine why Robert Needham took the actions he did.

“In relation to the wider issues of firearms licensing, a number of areas were examined in detail during the inquest but the coroner did not feel it necessary to issue a report relating to the prevention of future deaths (known as a PFD report).

“However, we remain fully committed to maintaining public safety and recognise the importance of our role in firearms licensing. We have significantly changed and improved our processes since this tragic case occurred, including ensuring we are compliant with the new national Statutory Guidance for Firearms Licensing which was introduced in 2021. Should this national guidance be reviewed, we would welcome being part of such a review with all other interested parties."