§ Mr. Tom HarrisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to increase controls on the(a) use and (b) ownership of (ii) air rifles and (ii) air pistols. [31339]
§ Mr. DenhamThere are already strict laws in place to control the use and possession of air weapons including age limits for acquisition and possession and controls on their possession in a public place.
We are aware that some air pistols which operate on the air cartridge system have been found to be readily convertible to fire live ammunition. We are currently in discussion with the importers and the Forensic Science Service, considering what needs to be done to establish the full extent and nature of the problem and how to tackle it.