HC Deb 12 May 2000 vol 349 cc491-2W
Mr. William Ross

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many legally held firearms have been destroyed in the last 12 months for which figures are available, as a consequence of the authority to hold such a firearm being(a) withdrawn and (b) given up by the holder; and of those firearms how many were (i) handguns, (ii) rifles of 22 calibre, (iii) rifles over 22 calibre, (iv) shotguns and (v) other firearms. [121258]

Mr. Ingram

The Chief Constable has advised me that the following firearms, legally held on certificate, were destroyed during the period 1 May 1999 to 30 April 2000.

Firearms Number
Shotguns 1,199
Handguns 414
Rifles 268
Air Rifles 299

It has not been possible to give a more detailed breakdown.