§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many section 5 firearms certificates he has issued in each of the last five years. [67767]
251W
§ Mr. BoatengThe authority of the Secretary of State to possess, purchase or acquire, manufacture, sell or transfer weapons and ammunition prohibited by section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968 (as amended) is granted only to those applicants who can demonstrate a genuine need to have such weapons and ammunition. The total number of such authorities issued in England and Wales in each of the last five years is as follows:
Year Authorities issued 1998 540 1997 320 1996 304 1995 261 1994 214