§ The Earl of Shrewsburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have provided the public with adequate information to enable them to surrender gas cartridge air weapons or to apply for Section 1 firearms licences, in order to comply with the requirements of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003. [HL2205]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalAll police forces in England, Wales and Scotland were made aware of the changes in the law. In addition, the Home Office produced a number of posters and leaflets which explained what people must do if they wanted to keep any guns they already had. These were sent to all forces for display and further distribution as they saw fit.
The changes were also discussed with the relevant trade organisations who shared our wish to ensure that as many dealers as possible and their customers were aware of how the new law would affect them. They were also sent copies of the posters and leaflets together with a special sticker for them to put on tins of air gun pellets as a reminder of the change in legislation.
We are continuing to work with the police—and any other interested organisations—with a view to securing further local and national publicity.
§ The Earl of Shrewsburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many gas cartridge air weapons, as restricted by the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003—
225WA
- (a) are currently in circulation in the United Kingdom; and
- (b) have been surrendered to date. [HL2206]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalIt is estimated that around 70,000 of these weapons were sold but there is no information available regarding the number currently in circulation in the United Kingdom.
No running total is being kept centrally of the number surrendered to date.