HC Deb 04 December 1952 vol 508 cc1750-1
45. Mr. Janner

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to amend the Firearms Act, 1937, so that the maximum prison sentence for anyone purchasing or possessing firearms or ammunition without a firearms certificate shall include a longer prison sentence than the present one of three months.

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

No, Sir. The purchase or possession without a certificate of firearms or ammunition to which Part I of the Firearms Act, 1937, applies is a serious matter, but I have no reason to regard as inadequate the maximum penalties which may be inflicted for this offence.

Mr. Janner

Is not the Minister aware that there is a considerable increase in crimes which involve the use of these weapons? Will he not consider imposing a higher penalty on some kinds of the weapons which are referred to in the Act, if not on others, so that people shall be afraid of carrying arms of that sort and thereby be prevented from using them?

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

I am quite prepared to consider the point, but I remind the hon. Gentleman that Sections 22 and 23 of the Firearms Act prescribe penalties of up to 14 years' imprisonment for convition on indictment for the possession of firearms with intent to injure or for their use and possession to resist arrest, and that Section 23 of the Larceny Act provides for a life sentence for the offence of armed robbery.

Mr. Ian Harvey

Would not my right hon. and learned Friend agree that this also involves the question of whose finger is on the trigger?

Mr. Janner

Would the right hon. and learned Gentleman consider this again? Is he not aware, with all his vast experience of legal procedure, that there is considerable difficulty in proving intent in these cases, and does he not think that those difficulties should be removed?

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

I am always prepared to consider it, and, as I said. I shall.