§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the percentage increase in the numbers of crimes and offences involving the use of firearms in the 10-year period ended 1965, and what were the total of convictions in courts for firearms offences of crimes and offences involving the use of firearms in the years 1955, 1965, 1975, 1985 and 1986 respectively.
§ Mr. Mellor[pursuant to his reply, 26 March 1987, c. 229]: The number of offences recorded by the police in which firearms were reported to have been used is published annually in table 3.1 of "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales". Comparable figures are not available before 1969.
It is not possible from central records of the results of court proceedings to identify all offences in which firearms were involved. The information available on findings of guilt for offences under the Firearms Act 1968 is shown in the table below: it relates only to cases in which this was the principal offence and excludes persons also found guilty of a more serious offence. Information on a similar basis is not available for earlier years.
Persons found guilty of offences under the Firearms Act 1968 England and Wales 1980, 1985 Offence 1980 1985 Possession of firearm with intent lo endanger life; use of firearms in resisting arrest 65 42 Possession of a firearm at time of committing or with intent to commit an offence 104 101 Possession of firearm without a certificate; trading in firearms without being registered; conversion of firearms; carrying loaded firearm in a public place etc. 1,039 875 Non-possession of a certificate1 for a shotgun; trespassing with firearm on land; persons under 17 purchasing a firearm etc. 5,490 2,465 6,698 3,483 1 Summary offences.