§ Sir R. Glynasked the Home Secretary how many instances there have been in the last 18 months of raids on firearm shops and at what places; and whether he is satisfied that it is in the public interest that revolvers and similar weapons, other than sporting guns, should be exposed for sale in shop windows?
§ Sir S. HoareThese cases are not classified separately in the central records of offences, and I am unable to give any information of the number of such cases throughout the country as a whole. In the Metropolitan Police District, however, I understand that in the last 18 months there have been two cases in which shop windows have been smashed and firearms stolen from the windows. If dangerous firearms are exhibited in a shop window, it is preferable that the window should be protected by a grille or other similar device.
§ Sir R. Glynasked the Home Secretary how many instances there have been of persons under arrest being found to be in possession of firearms during the last 18 months; and whether he will consider the advantage of introducing legislation to amend the Firearms Act so as to exclude air pistols and dummy revolvers being lawfully held without a licence?
§ Sir S. HoareBetween 1st July, 1936, and 31st December, 1937, 20 persons1900W arrested in the Metropolitan Police District were found to be in possession of firearms. In 12 of these cases the weapon was an air-gun or air-pistol and in one case it was a toy pistol. I have no information as to the number of similar cases in the provinces. It is already illegal to possess, without a firearm certificate, a dummy revolver which can be converted into a firearm capable of discharging a missile. It is also a specific offence, under Section 23 of the Firearms Act, 1937, to be in possession of any firearm or imitation firearm when committing certain criminal offences. In view of the recommendations of the Departmental Committee on the Statutory Definition and Classification of Firearms and Ammunition, and having regard to the existing power to make Rules under Section 16 (1) (b) of the Firearms Act, 1937, there would seem to be no occasion for any fresh legislation designed to extend the provisions of that Act to air pistols.
§ Sir R. Glynasked the Home Secretary what is the total of the number of licences held in this country for the possession of firearms; and how does this figure compare with 1919, 1929, and 1931?
§ Sir S. HoareReturns of the numbers of firearm certificates authorising the possession of firearms are not furnished to the Home Office by Chief Officers of Police, and I am not, therefore, in a position to supply figures other than those for the Metropolitan Police District. The following are the numbers of firearm certificates in force in the Metropolitan Police District on 31st December of each of the years stated:
1921 24,308 1929 23,874 1931 24,855 1937 26,120 The increased number of certificates in force at the end of 1937 is due to the changes in the law which came into operation on 1st May, 1937. Figures are given for 1921 instead of 1919, as before the passing of the Firearms Act, 1920, the possessor of a firearm was not required to hold a firearm certificate.