§ 29. Mr. HARRISasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the injury caused to a boy in Bethnal Green recently by another boy firing an air-gun obtained through cigarette coupons; and whether he proposes to make any restrictions on the use of air-guns in crowded areas?
§ Sir H. SAMUELThis incident had not previously come to my notice, but I have obtained particulars. I presume that the hon. Member has in mind the possibility of applying the provisions of the Firearms Act, 1920, to the use of air-guns in crowded areas, but there is only power to apply those provisions to specially dangerous types and thus far no sufficient ground has been shown for applying them. A gun licence is already required for carrying or using an air-gun outside the curtilage of a dwelling-house, and the Metropolitan Police Act, 1839, provides penalties for the wanton discharge of any missile to the damage or danger of any person.
§ Mr. HARRISDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that by the firing of this air-gun in this area another small child lost an eye?
§ Sir H. SAMUELI understand that, unfortunately, that is so.