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13/10/2005
Government announces airgun clampdown
The Home Office has announced plans to introduce new controls on the sale of airguns.
Under the plans, a new registration scheme would be introduced for dealers, who would have to pay £150 to register after being approved by police.
Dealers would also be required to keep records of transactions, including the name and address of the purchaser. Weapons would also have to be sold face-to-face, not via the Internet or mail order, so that dealers would be able to check for proof-of age.
Anyone who fails to comply with the new measures would face a fine and 6 months imprisonment.
The new measures have been added to the Violent Crime Reduction Bill at Westminster, which already includes an increase in the age limit for owning an air weapon to 18; a new offence of firing an air weapon beyond the boundary of a premises; and tougher restrictions on the manufacture and ownership of imitation firearms.
They have been introduced in the wake of the death of Glasgow toddler Andrew Morton, who died after being shot with an airgun in March this year.
Announcing the new measures, Home Office Minister Hazel Blears said: “Sadly, the tragic consequence of the misuse of airguns has continued – like the death of Andrew Morton in Glasgow. Over the last few months we have listened to representations, including from the police and from colleagues in Scotland, on how we can prevent even more airguns getting into the wrong hands.
“The new proposals outlined today would make suppliers accountable to the police and remove the anonymity of purchasers to deter impulsive purchases and irresponsible sales. Coupled with the existing measures in the Bill, the scheme would help ensure that our laws on air weapons remain amongst the toughest in the world.”
(KMcA/SP)
Under the plans, a new registration scheme would be introduced for dealers, who would have to pay £150 to register after being approved by police.
Dealers would also be required to keep records of transactions, including the name and address of the purchaser. Weapons would also have to be sold face-to-face, not via the Internet or mail order, so that dealers would be able to check for proof-of age.
Anyone who fails to comply with the new measures would face a fine and 6 months imprisonment.
The new measures have been added to the Violent Crime Reduction Bill at Westminster, which already includes an increase in the age limit for owning an air weapon to 18; a new offence of firing an air weapon beyond the boundary of a premises; and tougher restrictions on the manufacture and ownership of imitation firearms.
They have been introduced in the wake of the death of Glasgow toddler Andrew Morton, who died after being shot with an airgun in March this year.
Announcing the new measures, Home Office Minister Hazel Blears said: “Sadly, the tragic consequence of the misuse of airguns has continued – like the death of Andrew Morton in Glasgow. Over the last few months we have listened to representations, including from the police and from colleagues in Scotland, on how we can prevent even more airguns getting into the wrong hands.
“The new proposals outlined today would make suppliers accountable to the police and remove the anonymity of purchasers to deter impulsive purchases and irresponsible sales. Coupled with the existing measures in the Bill, the scheme would help ensure that our laws on air weapons remain amongst the toughest in the world.”
(KMcA/SP)
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Scattered showers and clear spells continue through this evening, becoming dry with clear skies developing in places for a time overnight. Clouding over again from the west by sunrise. Minimum temperature 3 °C.
