HC Deb 07 June 1962 vol 661 c634
11. Mr. Gresham Cooke

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions for the illegal sale of gas-operated airguns and pistols have been instituted in 1962.

Mr. Renton

I regret that the information is not available.

Mr. Gresham Cooke

Would my hon. and learned Friend take note that only a few days ago in the City of London these very dangerous gas-operated air-guns, which should not be sold without a firearms certificate, were on sale openly? Should not dealers and gunsmiths be told that it is illegal to sell these gas-operated pistols, airguns and so on, so that they may take them out of their shops instead of openly selling them?

Mr. Renton

The Home Secretary has no authority to interpret the law, but it is a plain fact that these particular weapons are operated by means of compressed carbon dioxide and, therefore, would not appear to be air weapons but would appear, subject to what the courts may find, to require a firearms certificate.

Mr. S. Silverman

Is there not some incongruity between Home Office policy which insists on retaining the death penalty where murders are committed by weapons of this kind and its refusal to take any powers to prevent the indiscriminate purchase of these weapons?

Mr. Renton

That does not arise out of this Question.