§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had with gun trade associations on the(a) sale and (b) criminal use of airguns; and if he will make a statement. [134596]
§ Caroline Flint[holding answer 27 October 2003]: We have discussions with the gun trade associations on a range of issues. Most recently we have been discussing the problems which have arisen as a result of criminals converting air weapons which use the self-contained gas cartridge system to fire conventional ammunition. It was not possible to modify these guns to prevent conversion and we have therefore made provision in the current Anti-Social Behaviour Bill for future manufacture, importation, transfer or sale to be prohibited. Existing owners will be able to retain their guns provided they obtain a firearms certificate.