§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their policy concerning the sale and control of replica and deactivated firearms and the prevention of crimes arising from their use or their possible reactivation. [HL4875]
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal)We are currently introducing new controls in the Anti-social Behaviour Bill which will make it an offence to possess an imitation firearm in a public place without reasonable excuse. Under the 211WA Firearms Act 1982, imitation firearms that are readily convertible to fire live ammunition are treated in law as real, working guns. It is also a criminal offence to possess a firearm or imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of unlawful violence.
The standards for deactivating firearms were made more stringent in 1995 and we are not aware that guns deactivated after this date are being readily reactivated.
Under the provisions of the current Criminal Justice Bill, anybody convicted of possessing a prohibited firearm—which will include converted or reactivated handguns—will be liable to a five-year minimum sentence.