§ Lord HolmPatrickasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether it is still lawful to possess soft-nosed ammunition for the purpose of the humane killing of animals and, if not, whether legislation will be prepared to allow such possession.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Williams of Mostyn)Yes. Section 10 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 allows expanding ammunition to be held on a specially conditioned firearm certificate or visitor's firearm permit for use in connection with shooting of deer or vermin; other wildlife in connection with estate management; the humane killing of animals; or the shooting of animals for the protection of other animals or humans. It also provides an exemption for registered firearms dealers who possess expanding ammunition in the ordinary course of their business.