§ 68. Mr. Michieasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to review controls on the illegal use of firearms; and if he will make a statement.
270W
§ Mr. Giles ShawWe keep these matters under continuing review. My right hon. Friend is currently considering whether to require shotgun certificate holders to keep their weapons secure when not in use, in order to make it more difficult for criminals to obtain shotguns. The existing penalties for the unauthorised possession of firearms are already severe, but it is our intention at a suitable legislative opportunity to increase to life imprisonment the maximum penalty for carrying firearms in furtherance of crime.