The government has set out new wide-ranging proposals to
strengthen firearms laws and protect the public in a consultation
launched today (Tuesday 24 November).
This includes new controls on air weapons, aimed at keeping them
out the hands of unsupervised young persons.
It will also close loopholes which currently mean owners of small
gun ranges can buy weapons without informing the police or having
a licence.
Policing Minister said:
Our gun laws are among the toughest in the world – we are
determined to ensure they stay this way to keep the public
safe.
These measures will tighten controls on air weapons and
minimise the risk of tragic accidents, which have devastated
families in the past.
They will also close loopholes in our laws to prevent dangerous
weapons falling into the wrong hands and ensure that
law-abiding shooters can use their firearms safely.
The new air weapons controls being consulted on will include:
- removing exemptions which allow people from the age of 14 to
have unsupervised possession of air weapons on private premises
- making it an offence to fail to lock up an air weapon and its
ammunition separately in the presence of under-18s while not in
use
- working with industry and retailers to improve the safe
keeping of air weapons and advice at the point of sale
Owners of miniature rifle ranges are also planned to be placed
under the licensing regime.
Under these proposals, owners will no longer be able to legally
buy weapons smaller than .23-inch calibre without having a
firearms certificate or informing the police.
The public consultation will also seek views on how to increase
security measures around powerful firearms, described as high
muzzle energy rifles, and how to strengthen controls on
ammunition parts to prevent the unlawful manufacture of full
rounds.
This follows new laws announced this month aimed at closing antique firearms
loopholes, after evidence showed these were being exploited
by criminals.
Seven ammunition types have been removed from the definition of
antique firearm, making up to 26,000 guns that use them illegal
to own without a firearms licence.
View the full consultation
here.
