§ On the Motion by Lord Francis L. Gower, that this Bill be read a second time,
Mr. Robert Gordonsaid, he wished to call the attention of the House to the provisions of the Bill. He was aware that it was similar to an Act passed last year, and which had just expired, but the present Bill was to be in force seven years, and some of its provisions though they might be consented to for one year when the country was disturbed, became intolerable through such a period as seven years. By the Bill, arms must be registered, and a license taken out to possess them. No man could have more than two pounds of gunpowder in his house without an express license—a clause that made him suppose Ireland was in a state of rebellion, or at least that the Government regarded the inhabitants with great suspicion. The Act was passed last Session without an observation, but if it were suffered to do so this year, it would reflect great discredit on the Gentlemen connected with Ireland.
§ Mr. Spring Riceclaimed for himself the merit, being one of those Gentlemen, of not having been inattentive to the Bill; but he saw no good reason for opposing the second reading of it. There were some of its regulations which he did not approve of, but he thought that they should be discussed in the Committee.
Mr. Jephsonobserved, that there was a clause in the bill imposing a penalty of 500l. for exposing a Gun to sale.
§ Bill read a second time.