HC Deb 27 July 1950 vol 478 cc680-1
38. Mrs. Braddock

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the number of accidents occuring from the use of air guns or pistols, he will make regulations to prohibit the sale of these articles without the production of a licence.

Mr. Ede

Air guns or air pistols may not be sold to persons under the age of 17 years, but unless they are of a type declared to be specially dangerous it is not necessary to have a firearm certificate in order to acquire them. I have no power to make regulations to alter the law on this matter.

Mrs. Braddock

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there have been a number of serious accidents as a result of children using these air pistols, that they can be bought freely in the shops, and that the only statement made on the boxes containing them is that they cannot be used without a licence? Would it not be wiser to have to produce a licence before one could be purchased?

Mr. Ede

No, Sir. If my hon. Friend can give me any information indicating that one of these weapons has been sold illegally, I will see that appropriate action is considered.