HC Deb 14 January 2002 vol 378 cc91-2W
Mr. Watson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers the police have to remove air weapons from individuals. [22502]

Mr. Denham

Under section 47(1) of the Firearms Act 1968, a constable may require any person whom he has reasonable cause to suspect of having a firearm in a public place or to be committing or about to commit an offence elsewhere than in a public place to hand over the firearm for examination. Any air weapon which is capable of inflicting a lethal injury is regarded as a firearm. The police also have powers under the provisions of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 to seize and retain offensive weapons and anything which is evidence of an offence.