HC Deb 20 January 2003 vol 398 c33W
20. Mr. Prisk

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress his Department is making in tackling gun crime. [91443]

Mr. Bob Ainsworth

While the overall proportion of crime involving firearms is low the increase in gun crime in the year 2001–02 is unacceptable and is being tackled vigorously. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has announceda mandatory minimum sentence of five years for illegal possession of a firearm; a new offence of carrying replica firearms or air weapons in a public place without reasonable excuse; and an amnesty to get many guns off our streets which may otherwise be used in crime.