HC Deb 06 November 1996 vol 284 cc560-2W
Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will provide a breakdown of the reasons given for the legal possession of firearms in Northern Ireland. [1609]

Sir John Wheeler

The following are accepted as "good reason" for the possession of firearms in Northern Ireland, as required by the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 1981:

  • Sporting purposes;
  • Vermin control;
  • Personal protection;
  • Target use;
  • Collectors' items;
  • Possession only;
  • Miscellaneous (including humane killing, starting pistols, and firearms held by fishermen for protection of their nets).

Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many of the firearms licences currently issued in Northern Ireland are for handguns. [1608]

Sir John Wheeler

It is not possible to say how many current firearms certificates are solely for handguns in Northern Ireland as some certificates may include more than one firearm. There were however 12,872 hand guns held on firearm certificates at 30 September 1996.

Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions in each of the past 10 years firearms licences have been revoked. [1612]

Sir John Wheeler

The Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary has informed me that firearm certificates have been revoked in each of the last 10 years as follows:

  • 1986: 144
  • 1987: 157
  • 1988: 148
  • 1989: 135
  • 1990: 131
  • 1991: 110
  • 1992: 94
  • 1993: 97
  • 1994: 113
  • 1995: 115
  • 1996: 75 (to 22 October).

Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what limit exists on the number of firearms that may be possessed by an individual; and if he will make a statement about the number of legal weapons possessed and the number of firearms licences. [1610]

Sir John Wheeler

There is no specific limit to the numbers of firearms which may be held on a person's firearm certificate but, in accordance with article 28 of the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 1981, the Chief Constable must be satisfied that the holder has shown "good reason" for purchasing, acquiring or having in his possession each firearm for which an application is made.

At 30 September 1996 there were 134,103 firearms held on 87,302 firearm certificates issued by the Chief Constable.

Mr. William Ross

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the number of firearms and shotguns, by the categories used by the RUC, held in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years; and how many of these were identified as being used in crime in each of those years. [1965]

Sir John Wheeler

[holding answer 1 November 19961: (i) The figures for the number of firearms held on certificate in each of the last three years is as follows:

1993 1994 1995
Shotguns 84,270 84,733 85,269
Air Weapons 19,939 20,447 21,074
Rifles 13,079 13,175 13,460
Handguns 12,008 12,833 12,917
Miscellaneous 1,214 1,250 1,307
Totals 130,510 132,438 134,027

(ii) At present the RUC is unable to distinguish, from its records, whether the firearms used in crimes have been held legally or illegally. The RUC is, however, currently considering whether it is possible to set up a system which would facilitate the retrieval of such information. The Chief Constable estimates that less than 1 per cent. of these cases would have involved legally held firearms.

The following is a record of cases in which firearms have been used in the last three years:

  • 1993: 1,185 (including 86 crimes involving shotguns)
  • 1994: 963 (including 77 crimes involving shotguns)
  • 1995: 518 (including 73 crimes involving shotguns).