§ Stephen HesfordTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his policy on possession of a replica gun in a public place. [93211]
§ Mr. Bob AinsworthAn imitation firearm can create the same fear as a real one. It is not acceptable that people going about their business should be put in fear in this way. We therefore propose to introduce a new offence of having an imitation firearm in a public place without reasonable excuse.
This will mean that anyone seen in public with an imitation firearm can be challenged and if they do not have a reasonable explanation for having the gun, they can be arrested before any further offences can be committed.