§ Mr. WigginTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many incidences of gun crime there were in Wales in 2002; how many there were in 1997; and if he will make a statement.[139295]
§ Mr. TouhigThere were 85 recorded crimes in Wales in 1997 involving a firearm other than an air weapon; the figure was 106 in 2002.
Although the incidence of firearms offences is relatively low in Wales, too many people are still being killed or injured by firearms. This is unacceptable and is being addressed on a number of fronts, including:
1189Wreducing the supply and availability of firearms, andeffective police operations to drive down firearm offences.During the firearms amnesty earlier this year, 508 guns were handed in, in Wales. The proposed five-year minimum sentence for illegally selling, possessing or manufacturing prohibited firearms sends a strong message that we will not tolerate the illegal proliferation of guns within our society.