§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many lethal or potentially lethal firearms have been recovered by United Kingdom Police Services in the current year and in each of the previous four years:
and whether all such weapons have been destroyed. [HL4809]
- (a) by means of arms amnesties; and
- (b) in the course of police operations;
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal)The national firearms amnesty in April saw the hand-in of 43,908 guns (including 9,480 imitations and 13,974 air weapons), and 1,039,358 rounds of ammunition. Police forces were instructed to destroy all items, unless they were of national forensic or museum interest. Information on firearms recovered by the police during normal operations is not recorded centrally.