§ 59. Mr. LUNNasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of cases of crime in which there was evidence of the use or carrying of firearms during the last three years; whether records are kept of cases in which firearms have been converted or are capable of conversion from so-called toy revolvers; and whether he proposes to take any action to restrict the dealing in these weapons?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir Herbert Samuel)I regret that no separate records are available which would enable me to answer the first two parts of this question. In answer to the last part of the question, as at present advised I do not think that the possible dangers arising from articles of this class are such as would justify the introduction of special restrictive legislation.
§ Mr. LUNNIn view of the dangerous nature of these weapons, will the right hon. Gentleman institute some form of inquiry into the matter?
§ Sir H. SAMUELI have not had any evidence, so far, that dangers have been incurred.
§ 60. Mr. LUNNasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the decision in the courts of summary jurisdiction at Liverpool, Newcastle-on-Tyne, and Kendal that toy revolvers capable of conversion into lethal weapons come within the provisions of the Firearms Act; and whether he will give particulars of similar proceedings initiated within recent years in courts within the Metropolitan police district?
§ Sir H. SAMUELI am aware that some courts of summary jurisdiction have convicted persons under the Firearms Act in respect of articles of the kind referred to. It is not the practice of the Metropolitan Police to take proceedings in respect of such articles which have not been converted.
§ Mr. LUNNDoes the right hon. Gentleman consider the law to be satisfactory when it makes a man a criminal in other parts of the country if he carries these firearms, while that is not the case in London?
§ Sir H. SAMUELIt is a matter for the courts to decide whether a man is a criminal or not. If the hon. Member will send me information to show that there is any serious grievance in this matter, I shall be very grateful and shall be glad to consider it.
§ Mr. LUNNIs not my question sufficiently definite to show that in certain towns in the North of England these firearms have been declared to be outside the law, while in London that is not so; and will the right hon. Gentleman ask the chief constables to inquire?
§ Sir H. SAMUELYes, Sir; I will make inquiries of the chief constables.