§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many armed robberies were committed with(a) licensed pistols, (b) unlicensed pistols, (c) other licensed firearms and (d) other unlicensed firearms, in each of the years 1998, 1999 and 2000 to date.[138689]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeDetails of the legal status of firearms used in offences are not generally available, but it is thought that most, if not all, will be illegally held. The numbers of handguns and other firearms used in robberies are as follows, for the most recently available information:
Firearms used in robberies Financial year Number of handguns Number of other firearms1 1997–98 1,811 1,128 1998–99 1,814 1,159 1Including supposed and imitation firearms, and air weapons.