§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are(a) the total number of firearms certificates current in London, (b) the number issued in the past year in London and (c) the number of prosecutions made in the past year in London for illegal possession of firearms.
§ Mr. MacleanThe information requested at(a) and (b) is published in Home Office statistical bulletin 'Firearm Certificate Statistics, England and Wales 1993' (issue 22/94), table 2, a copy of which can be found in the Library.
One hundred and eight persons were proceeded against in the area covered by the Metropolitan and City of London police forces for the offence of possessing firearms or ammunition without a licence in 1993.
§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for the licensing of replica guns; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacleanAny imitation firearm which can be readily converted to fire live ammunition is subject to stringent licensing control. But licensing other imitation firearms would be neither feasible nor effective in combatting misuse.
The Firearms (Amendment) Act 1994 has made it an offence to possess an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of unlawful violence. The possession of an imitation firearm in the commission of an indicatable offence carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.