§ 14. Mr. Canavanasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will take steps to seek to ban or further restrict the sale of dangerous weapons.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe Firearms Act 1968 already lays down strict controls on the possession and use of firearms and we have no plans at present to amend it. With regard to other weapons, we announced on 3 December that we intend to issue guidelines to traders urging that crossbows should not be sold to persons under 17. We are in favour of a statutory prohibition of this kind and the Bill which my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Bruinvels) has introduced will seek to do this. We keep the whole subject under active review.
§ Mr. CanavanIs it not obscene that some unscrupulous traders sell to children, as Christmas presents, dangerous, illegal weapons such as flick knives, spiked gloves and Chinese death stars? Is it not about time that the Government took firm action to outlaw such a barbaric practice, which is exploiting children and encouraging violence in the streets?
§ Mr. HoggI imagine that the hon. Gentleman will be supporting the Bill on crossbows, and I hope that he will be applauding the guidance that the Government have given about the sale of martial arts equipment and crossbows to young people.