§ Mr. Bill Etherington (Sunderland, North)The petition that I present tonight has been signed by almost 10,000 people from in and around the city of Sunderland. I must give great credit to those who were responsible for obtaining the majority of those signatures: to Monique Swan, whose name is appended to the petition, and to the Sunderland Echo, which has campaigned vigorously on the vexatious question of airguns. It is some weeks since this petition was lodged, and I am pleased that we seem to be making some progress.
The petition states:
The petition of residents of the city of SunderlandDeclares that stricter legislation and licensing of airguns throughout the country is needed to safeguard the public.The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons pass legislation to restrict the purchase, ownership, hire and use of airguns and ammunition to persons aged 18 years and over, and to establish a comprehensive and strictly enforceable firearms licensing system and secure storage and transport protocols for all owners and users of airguns.And the petitioners remain, etc.
§ To lie upon the Table.