Firearms (Hansard, 22 November 1984)

§ Mr. Gwilym Jones

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many weapons classified under firearms during 1983, coming into police possession, appeared in constabularies' annual reports under the heading (a) voluntary surrender or confiscation by the courts, (b) voluntary surrender and (c) confiscation by the courts, respectively;

(2) how many centre-fire cartridges, excluding shotgun and 0.22 rim-fire cartridges in 1983, were (a) voluntarily surrendered to the police, (b) seized by the police, with the owners subsequently agreeing to police disposal, or (c) confiscated by the courts (i) from persons not holding or who have never held part (1) firearms certificates, (ii) from the holders of current part (1) firearms certificates, (iii) from the holders after expiry of part (1) firearms certificates, who had not been issued with temporary certificates to enable them legally to dispose of the ammunition and (iv) from the holders after expiry of part (1) firearms certificates, who had been issued with temporary certificates to enable them legally to dispose of the ammunition;

(3) how many 0.22 calibre rim-fire cartridges were (a) voluntarily surrendered to the police, (b) seized by the police, with the owners subsequently agreeing to police disposal, or (c) confiscated by the courts (i) from persons not holding or who have never held part (1) firearms certificates, (ii) from the holders of current part (1) firearms certificates, (iii) from the holders after expiry of part (1) firearms certificates, who had not been issued with temporary certificates to enable them legally to dispose of the ammunition and (iv) from the holders after expiry of part (1) firearms certificates who had been issued with temporary certificates to enable them legally to dispose of the ammunition, during 1983;

(4) how many shotgun cartridges were (a) voluntarily surrendered to the police, (b) seized by the police, with the owners subsequently agreeing to police disposal, or (c) confiscated by the courts (i) from persons not holding or who have never held shotgun certificates, (ii) from the holders of current shotgun certificates, (iii) from the holders after expiry of shotgun certificates, who had not been issued with temporary certificates to enable them legally to dispose of the ammunition and (iv) from the holders after expiry of shotgun certificates who had been issued with temporary certificates to enable them legally to dispose of the ammunition, during 1983;

(5) how many part (1) firearms that were defined as humane killers, were (a) voluntarily surrendered to the police, (b) seized by the police, with the owners subsequently agreeing to police disposal, or (c) confiscated by the courts (i) from persons not holding or who have never held part (1) firearms certificates, (ii) from the holders of current part (1) firearms certificates, (iii) from the holders after expiry of part (1) firearms certificates, who had not been issued with temporary certificates to enable them legally to dispose of the weapons and (iv) from the holders after expiry of part (1) firearms certificates, who had been issued with temporary certificates to enable them legally to dispose of the weapons, during 1983;

(6) how many air-weapons classified as part (1) firearms, were (a) voluntarily surrendered to the police, (b) seized by the police, with the owners subsequently agreeing to police disposal or (c) confiscated by the courts 253W (i) from persons not holding or who never have held part (1) firearms certificates, (ii) from the holders of current part (1) firearms certificates, (iii) from the holders after expiry of part (1) firearms certificates, who had not been issued with temporary certificates to enable them legally to dispose of the weapons and (iv) from the holders after expiry of part (1) firearms certificates, who had been issued with temporary certificates to enable them legally to dispose of the weapons, during 1983;

(7) how many shotguns classified as part (1) firearms with barrel lengths of less than 24 inches, including sawnoff shotguns, were (a) voluntarily surrendered to the police, (b) seized by the police, with the owners subsequently agreeing to police disposal or (c) confiscated by the courts (i) from persons not holding or who have never held part (1) firearms certificates, (ii) from the holders of current part (1) firearms certificates, (iii) from the holders after expiry of part (1) firearms certificates, who had not been issued with temporary certificates to enable them legally to dispose of the weapons and (iv) from the holders after expiry of part (1) firearms certificates, who had been issued with temporary certificates to enable them legally to dispose of the weapons, during 1983;

(8) how many shotguns with barrel lengths greater than 24 inches were (a) voluntarily surrendered to the police, (b) seized by the police, with the owners subsequently agreeing to police disposal or (c) confiscated by the courts (i) from persons not holding or who have never held shotgun certificates, (ii) from the holders of current shotgun certificates, (iii) from the holders after expiry of shotgun certificates, who had not been issued with temporary certificates to enable them legally to dispose of the weapons and (iv) from the holders after expiry of shotgun certificates who had been issued with temporary certificates to enable them legally to dispose of the weapons, during 1983;

(9) how many part (1) firearms that were classified as rifles, excluding 0.22 calibre rim-rifles, were (a) voluntarily surrendered to the police, (b) seized by the police, with the owners subsequently agreeing to police disposal or (c) confiscated by the courts (i) from persons not holding or who have never held part (1) firearms certificates, (ii) from the holders of current part (1) firearms certificates, (iii) from the holders after expiry of part (1) firearms certificates, who had not been issued with temporary certificates to enable them legally to dispose of the weapons and (iv) from the holders after expiry of part (1) firearms certificates, who had been issued with temporary certificates to enable them legally to dispose of the weapons, during 1983;

(10) how many part (1) firearms that were classified as 0.22 calibre rim-fire rifles, were (a) voluntarily surrendered to the police, (b) seized by the police, with the owners subsequently agreeing to police disposal or (c) confiscated by the courts (i) from persons not holding or who have never held part (1) firearms certificates, (ii) from the holders of current part (1) firearms certificates, (iii) from the holders after expiry of part (1) firearms certificates, who had not been issued with temporary certificates to enable them legally to dispose of the weapons and (iv) from the holders after expiry of part (1) firearms certificates, who had been issued with temporary certificates to enable them legally to dispose of the weapons, during 1983;

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(11) how many part (1) firearms that were classified as handguns (revolvers and pistols) were (a) voluntarily surrendered to the police, (b) seized by the police, with the owners subsequently agreeing to police disposal or (c) confiscated by the courts (i) from persons not holding or who have never held part (1) firearms certificates, (ii) from the holders of current part (1) firearms certificates, (iii) from the holders after expiry of part (1) firearms certificates, who had not been issued with temporary certificates to enable them legally to dispose of the weapons and (iv) from the holders after expiry of part (1) firearms certificates who had been issued with temporary certificates to enable them legally to dispose of the weapons, during 1983;

(12) how many new applications, during 1983, for the issue of part (1) firearms certificates that were refused, resulted in appeals to the court that were (a) withdrawn, (b) dismissed, (c) allowed and (d) held over;

(13) how many part (1) firearms certificates, during 1983, were cancelled (a) as a result of the death of the holder, (b) due to holder emigrating and (c) due to the certificate holder transferring to another force area;

(14) how many part (5) firearms certificates were current and in force on 1 January 1983;

(15) how many part (5) firearms certificates remained current and in force on 31 December 1983;

(16) how many new applications, during 1983, for the issue of part (5) firearms certificates were (a) granted and (b) refused.

(17) how many (a) new applications and (b) renewal applications during 1983 for the issue of part (5) firearms certificates were subsequently withdrawn by the applicants prior to either the grant of or refusal to issue the certificate being given;

(18) how many applications during 1983 to renew the issue of part (5) firearms certificates were (a) granted and (b) refused;

(19) how many applications, during 1983, for the grant of part (1) firearms certificates resulted in the total number of weapons originally requested in that application being granted;

(20) how many applications during 1983 for the grant of part (1) firearms certificates were not proceeded with to either a grant being issued or a written refusal being given, due to the applicant providing insufficient evidence in support of the application in order to comply with the requirements of the Firearms Act 1968;

(21) how many new applications during 1983 for the issue of part (1) firearms certificates that were refused resulted in (a) notice of appeal against the decision of the appropriate chief officer of police, (b) settlement prior to hearing, and on what terms of settlement and (c) a hearing by the court;

(22) how many new applications were submitted during 1983 for the grant of part (1) firearms certificates;

(23) how many applicants during 1983 submitted requests for new grants of part (1) firearms certificates that the applicants subsequently withdrew prior to either a grant or a written refusal being given;

(24) how many applications during 1983 there were for the transfer of part (1) firearms certificates to another force area that were subsequently granted;

(25) how many applications during 1983 for the transfer of part (1) firearms certificates to another force area were subsequently cancelled by the new issuing authority on or prior to the first renewal;

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(26) how many part (1) firearms certificates during 1983 were revoked;

(27) how many part (1) firearms certificates during 1983 were revoked resulted in (a) notice of appeal against the decision of the appropriate chief officer of police, (b) settlement prior to hearing and on what terms the settlement and (c) a hearing by the court;

(28) how many part (1) firearms certificates during 1983 that were revoked by chief officers of police resulted in appeals to the court that were (a) withdrawn, (b) dismissed, (c) allowed and (d) held over;

(29) how many applications were submitted during 1983 for the variation of part (1) firearms certificates; and how many were granted;

(30) how many applicants during 1983 submitted requests for the variation of part (1) firearms certificates that the applicants subsequently withdrew prior to either a variation or a written refusal being given;

(31) how many applications during 1983 for the variation of part (1) firearms certificates resulted in the total number of weapons originally requested in that application being granted;

(32) how many applications during 1983 for the variation of part (1) firearms certificates were not proceeded with to either a grant of the variation or a written refusal being given due to the applicant providing insufficient evidence in support of the application in order to comply with there requirements of Firearms Act 1968;

(33) how many applications for the variation of part (1) firearms certificates were refused during 1983;

(34) how many applications during 1983 for the variation of part (1) firearms certificates that were refused, resulted in (a) notice of appeal against the decision of the appropriate chief officer of police, (b) settlement prior to hearing and on what terms of settlement and (c) a hearing by the court;

(35) how many applications during 1983 for the variation of part (1) firearms certificates that were refused resulted in appeals to the court that were (a) withdrawn, (b) dismissed, (c) allowed and (d) held over;

(36) how many applications were submitted during 1983 for the renewal of part (1) firearms certificates; and how many were granted;

(37) how many part (1) firearms certificates during 1983 were cancelled on expiry with no application to renew being submitted;

(38) how many applicants, during 1983 submitted requests for the renewal of part (1) firearms certificates that the applicants subsequently withdrew prior to either a renewal being granted or a written refusal being given;

(39) how many applications during 1983 for the renewal of part (1) firearms certificates resulted in the total number of weapons originally requested in that application being granted;

(40) how many applications during 1983 for the renewal of part (1) firearms certificates were not fully proceeded with either to the grant of the renewal or a written refusal being given, due to the applicant providing insufficient evidence in support of the application in order to comply with the requirements of the Firearms Act 1968;

(41) how many applications during 1983 for the renewal of part (1) firearms certificates that were refused resulted in (a) notice of appeal against the decision of the appropriate chief officer of police, (b) settlement prior to hearing and on what terms of settlement and (c) a hearing by the court;

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(42) how many applications during 1983 for the renewal of part (1) firearms certificates that were refused resulted in appeals to the court that were (a) withdrawn, (b) dismissed, (c) allowed and (d) held over;

(43) how many temporary certificates were issued to those possessing part (1) firearms during 1983;

(44) on how many occasions temporary certificates were re-issued on a continuation basis to those possessing part (1) firearms during 1983, giving the quantity issued to each individual holder;

(45) how many temporary certicates were issued to those possessing part (1) firearms during 1983 whose weapons held were subsequently (a) seized by, (b) voluntarily surrendered to or (c) confiscated by the police;

(46) how many part (1) firearms certificate holders on expiry of their certificate with no temporary certificate issued during 1983 had their weapons (a) seized by, (b) voluntarily surrendered to. or (c) confiscated by, the police;

(47) how many new applications were submitted during 1983 for the grant of shotgun certificates; how many were granted; and how many were refused;

(48) how many applicants during 1983 submitted requests for new grants of shotgun certificates that the applicants subsequently withdrew prior to either a grant or a written refusal being given;

(49) how many new applications during 1983 for the issue of shotgun certificates that were refused resulted in (a) notice of appeal against the decision of the appropriate chief officer of police, (b) settlement prior to hearing and on what terms of settlement and (c) a hearing by the court;

(50) how many new applications during 1983 for the issue of shotgun certificates that were refused resulted in appeals to the court that were (a) withdrawn, (b) dismissed, (c) allowed and (d) held over;

(51) how many shotgun certificates during 1983 were cancelled as a result of the death of the holders;

(52) how many shotgun certificates during 1983 were cancelled due to the holders emigrating;

(53) how many temporary certificates were issued to those possessing shotguns during 1983 whose weapons held were subsequently (a) seized by, (b) voluntarily surrendered to, or (c) confiscated by, the police;

(54) how many part (1) firearms certificate holders on expiry of their certificate with no temporary certificate issued during 1983 had their weapons (a) seized by, (b) voluntarily surrendered to, or (c) confiscated by the police;

(55) how many applicants during 1983 submitted requests for the renewal of shotgun certificates that were refused;

(56) how many applications during 1983 for the renewal of shotgun certificates that were refused resulted in (a) notice of appeal against the decision of the appropriate chief officer of police, (b) settlement prior to hearing and on what terms of settlement and (c) a hearing by the court;

(57) how many applications during 1983 for the renewal of shotgun certificates that were refused resulted in appeals to the court that were (a) withdrawn, (b) dismissed, (c) allowed and (d) held over;

(58) how many temporary certificates were issued to those possessing shotguns during 1983;

(59) on how many occasions temporary certificates were re-issued on a continuation basis to those possessing shotguns during 1983, giving the quantity issued to each individual holder;

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(60) how many shotgun certificates during 1983 that were revoked by chief officers of police resulted in appeals to the court that were (a) withdrawn, (b) dismissed, (c) allowed and (d) held over;

(61) how many applications were submitted during 1983 for the renewal of shotgun certificates;

(62) how many shotgun certificates during 1983 were cancelled on expiry with no application to renew being submitted;

(63) how many applicants during 1983 submitted requests for the renewal of shotgun certificates that the applicants subsequently withdrew prior to either a renewal being granted or a written refusal being given;

(64) how many shotgun certificates during 1983 were cancelled because of the certificate holder transferring to another force area;

(65) how many applications during 1983 there were for the transfer of shotgun certificates to another force area that were subsequently granted by the new issuing authority;

(66) how many applications during 1983 for the transfer of shotgun certificates to another force area were subsequently cancelled by the new issuing authority on or prior to the first renewal;

(67) how many shotgun certificates during 1983 were revoked;

(68) how many shotgun certificates during 1983 that were revoked resulted in (a) notice of appeal against the decision of the appropriate chief officer of police, (b) settlement prior to hearing and on what terms of settlement and (c) a hearing by the court;

(69) how many registered firearms dealers' certificates were current and in force on 1 January 1983;

(70) how many registered firearms dealers' certificates remained current and in force on 31 December 1983;

(71) how many new applications were submitted during 1983 for the grant of registered firearms dealers' certificates;

(72) how many new applications were granted during 1983 for the issue of registered firearms dealers' certificates;

(73) how many applicants submitted requests for new grants of registered firearms dealers' certificates that the applicants subsequently withdrew prior to either a grant or a written refusal being given during 1983;

(74) how many applications during 1983 for the grant of registered firearms dealers' certificates were not proceeded with to either a grant being issued or a written refusal being given, due to the applicant providing insufficient evidence in support of the application in order to comply with the requirements of the Firearms Act 1968;

(75) how many new applications were refused during 1983 for the issue of registered firearms dealers' certificates;

(76) how many new applications during 1983 for the issue of registered firearms dealers' certificates that were refused resulted in (a) notice of appeal against the decision of the appropriate chief officer of police, (b) settlement prior to hearing and on what terms of settlement and (c) a hearing by the court;

(77) how many new applications during 1983 for the issue of registered firearms dealers' certificates that were refused resulted in appeals to the court that were (a) withdrawn, (b) dismissed, (c) allowed and (d) held over;

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(78) how many registered firearms dealers' certificates, during 1983 were cancelled as a result of the death of the holders;

(79) how many registered firearms dealers' certificates were cancelled during 1983 due to the holders emigrating;

(80) how many registered firearms dealers' certificates were cancelled during 1983 due to the certificate holder transferring to another force area;

(81) how many applications there were during 1983 for the transfer of registered firearms dealers' certificates to another force area that were subsequently granted;

(82) how many applications during 1983 for the transfer of registered firearms dealers' firearms certificates to another force area were subsequently cancelled by the new issuing authority, on or prior to the first renewal;

(83) how many registered firearms dealers' certificates were revoked during 1983;

(84) how many registered firearms dealers' certificates that were revoked during 1983 resulted in (a) notice of appeal against the decision of the appropriate chief officer of police, (b) settlement prior to hearing and on what terms of settlement and (c) a hearing by the court;

(85) how many registered dealers' certificates that were revoked during 1983 by chief officers of police resulted in appeals to the court that were (a) withdrawn, (b) dismissed, (c) allowed and (d) held over;

(86) how many applications were submitted during 1983 for the renewal of registered firearms dealers' certificates;

(87) how many applications for the renewal of registered firearms dealers' certificates were granted during 1983;

(88) how many registered firearms dealers' certificates were cancelled on expiry with no application to renew being submitted during 1983;

(89) how many applicants during 1983 submitted requests for the renewal of registered firearms dealers' certificates that the applicants subsequently withdrew prior to either a renewal being granted or a written refusal being given;

(90) how many applications for the renewal of registered firearms dealers' certificates during 1983 were not fully proceeded with either to the grant of the renewal or a written refusal being given due to the applicant providing insufficient evidence in support of the application in order to comply with the requirements of the Firearms Act 1968;

(91) how many applicants during 1983 submitted requests for the renewal of registered firearms dealers' certificates that were refused;

(92) how many applications during 1983 for the renewal of registered firearms dealers' certificates that were refused resulted in (a) notice of appeal against the decision of the appropriate chief officer of police, (b) settlement prior to hearing and on what terms of settlement and (c) a hearing by the court;

(93) how many applications during 1983 for the renewal of registered firearms' dealers certificates that were refused resulted in appeals to the court that were (a) withdrawn, (b) dismissed, (c) allowed and (d) held over;

(94) how many registered firearms dealers' certificates were removed from the register during 1983;

(95) how many (a) shotguns with a barrel length greater than 24 inches, (b) shotguns with a barrel length less than 24 inches defined as saddle-guns, but excluding sawn-off shotguns, (c) shotguns with barrel length less tha

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24 inches defined as smooth bored rifle-type, but excluding saddle-guns or sawn-off shotguns, and (d) shotguns with barrel length less than 24 inches defined as sawn-off shotguns, were voluntarily surrendered to the police during 1983, excluding weapons confiscated by the courts;

(96) how many (a) shotguns with barrel length greater than 24 inches, (b) shotguns with barrel length less than 24 inches defined as saddle-guns, but excluding sawn-off shotguns, (c) shotguns with barrel length less than 24 inches defined as smooth bored rifle-type, and excluding saddle-guns or sawn-off shotguns, and (d) shotguns with barrel length less than 24 inches defined as sawn-off shotguns, were confiscated by the courts during 1983;

(97) how many weapons classified as firearms, not including air-weapons which are not defined as firearms, were voluntarily surrendered to the police during 1983 excluding weapons confiscated by the courts;

(98) how many weapons classified as firearms, excluding air-weapons which are not defined as firearms were confiscated by the courts during 1983;

(99) how many weapons classified as air-weapons, excluding air-weapons classified as firearms, were voluntarily surrendered to the police in 1983, excluding weapons confiscated by the courts;

(100) how many weapons classified as air-weapons, excluding air-weapons classified as firearms, were confiscated by the courts during 1983;