§ 74. Mr. HOHLERasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the injuries caused to children by the use of air-guns at Luton, Chatham; and would he consider whether he could introduce a Bill to amend the law both in regard to the sale of air or other guns to and the possession thereof by children?
§ Mr. McKENNAMy attention had not previously been called to the matter. I am informed by the police that a girl was recently injured accidentally at Luton by a pellet from an air-gun, but that they are not aware of any previous case of the kind. The Gun Licence Act, 1870, expressly includes air-guns, and Section 7 of that Act makes it an offence punishable by a fine not exceeding £10 for any person, unless he holds a licence, to use or carry an air-gun except in a dwelling-house or in the curtilage thereof.
§ Mr. HOHLERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the penalties are perfectly inoperative in regard to children who are in possession of these guns?
§ Mr. McKENNAWell, the only case I know of is the case in which I mentioned the circumstances in my reply to the hon. and learned Gentleman.