(The Minister of State for
Crime, Policing and the Fire Service): As part of the
Government’s continuing action to tackle serious violence and
keep dangerous weapons off the streets, we have on 9 June laid
draft regulations – The Surrender of Offensive Weapons
(Compensation) Regulations 2020 – before Parliament.
These regulations are required as part of our plans to bring in
the weapons prohibitions that are provided for by the Offensive
Weapons Act 2019. These prohibitions will apply to specified
rapid-firing rifles and certain other offensive weapons for
example, zombie knives
The Offensive Weapons Act provides for the Government to put in
place arrangements for the surrender of those items that will
become prohibited under the Act and requires that regulations
be made to provide for the payment of compensation to those who
surrender items
The regulations which have been laid set out a scheme for
compensation, in particular making provision as to eligibility
for compensation and the making and determination of claims.
The regulations are subject to the affirmative resolution
procedure in both Houses. It is our intention to bring the
regulations into force at a time when it is safe and reasonable
to expect the owners of these weapons to be able to travel to
designated police stations in their areas in order to surrender
the item.
We will finalise and publicise full details on the surrender
and compensation arrangements before they commence. This will
include the details on when the scheme will go live and
information on how to surrender and make a claim. This will
help to ensure that all those who possess the items in question
are well informed and are given sufficient opportunity to
surrender their lawfully held items to the police and claim
compensation for them.
