[UK] Crime Bill Targets Replica Guns


Recommended Posts

Source

Plans to ban the manufacture, import and sale of most kinds of replica guns have been outlined by the government.

The measures are included in the Violent Crime Reduction Bill.

The bill proposes an increase in the age limit for buying knives from 16 to 18, and search powers for head teachers who suspect they are being carried.

Binge drinking-related disorder will also be addressed, with proposed plans such as suspending alcohol sales in bars that persistently sell to minors.

Higher sentences

The proposals are part of the government's attempts to restore "respect" in communities, town centres, and schools, which it says is among its top priorities.

Home Office minister Hazel Blears said: "There is an increasing public concern around relatively low-level crime and anti-social behaviour escalating to more serious offences because people are under the influence of alcohol or carrying weapons."

Last year saw a 66% increase in offences involving replica firearms. Some of the guns fire blanks and others can be converted to fire live rounds.

 

The planned legislation envisages higher sentences for carrying imitation guns, and tougher manufacturing standards to make sure replicas cannot be converted to fire real ammunition.

Welcoming the move, Chief Superintendent Paul Robinson, who heads Scotland Yard's special firearms operational command unit, said: "It is often almost impossible to tell the difference between a real gun and a replica.

"For someone walking down a street, all they know is someone is waving a firearm at them.

Police officers face exactly the same situation and have to make split-second decisions on how to act."

He added that banning sales of the guns would, in all likelihood, result in a drop in armed robberies and firearms incidents.

Although it is an offence to carry an imitation gun in public, ministers had previously resisted imposing an outright ban on sales.

Knives most common

It was feared that those who use imitation firearms in films and on television, and children who play with water pistols or toy guns, could be criminalised.

But the bill has been drafted so the ban will exclude people who fall into these categories.

Air weapons are also being targeted, with the age limit for buying or firing one without supervision being raised from 17 to 18.

It will also become an offence to use other people to hide or carry guns or knives.

Knives remain the weapon most commonly used in violent incidents, prompting the minimum age at which they can be bought to be raised from 16 to 18.

Drink banning orders

New powers to create designated Alcohol Disorder Zones, first aired in January, are being pursued in the bill.

The Home Office has said the "last resort" option would allow senior police officers and councils to pinpoint areas with binge drinking-related problems and levy an extra charge for policing on all licensed premises in the zone.

The law would give police the authority to ban the sale of alcohol for up to 48 hours in pubs where under-18s have been served.

They could ban individuals responsible for alcohol-fuelled disorder from an area for up to 48 hours.

Drinking banning orders could see troublemakers banned from specific areas and bars for up to two years.

Leisure industry representatives have attacked the proposal to levy charges on pubs and clubs, claiming some venues could face an unfair ?100-per-week bill.

Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell said: "The measures in the Violent Crime Reduction Bill are a key part in the fight against alcohol-fuelled crime and disorder. "They complement the new licensing laws, which will help eradicate trouble flashpoints through ending fixed closing, give the police tougher powers to deal with trouble venues and provide greater protection for children and local communities."

My view on the situation is: You should be allowed them but not in public places where people easily mistake them for the real thing. I probably still have one from a few years ago but I don't use it anymore because back then I would only use it for shooting targets (plastic or paper) in my own property but it just sort of died off in me. I say if someone has one in public, in their pocket or wherever that it might be visible and easy to pull out and used they should be arrested. However if they have it in a box or a bag and it is unloaded and they cannot access it easily on the street then thats fine. People don't phone the police about a box. It is idiots like chavs in Britain that go around in gangs in the street with them and shoot people and animals. They should be persecuted, not the people using them in their back gardens firing at targets who are doing nothing wrong.

Your comments?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Most of it seems reasonable. IMO guns, replica or otherwise, have no real place in public spaces, and it's be pretty bad if the police were forced to shoot someone and afterwards it turned out they were only carrying a replica gun to look 'cool'.

Alcohol measures seem a bit extreme; I doubt banning the sale of alcohol from a place for 48 hours would go down well. :p

Raising knife age, again, seems reasonable as long as they do't include razor blades with that, lol.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Raising knife age, again, seems reasonable as long as they do't include razor blades with that, lol.

586036513[/snapback]

I didn't even know that you had to be of a specific age to get a knife.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Most of it seems reasonable. IMO guns, replica or otherwise, have no real place in public spaces, and it's be pretty bad if the police were forced to shoot someone and afterwards it turned out they were only carrying a replica gun to look 'cool'.

Alcohol measures seem a bit extreme; I doubt banning the sale of alcohol from a place for 48 hours would go down well.  :p

Raising knife age, again, seems reasonable as long as they do't include razor blades with that, lol.

586036513[/snapback]

Well people should have them concealed and unloaded in public in a box or bag. Good raising the age for knife purchases as too many incidents involve knives nowadays. I agree about the alcohol point you made. 48 hours wouldn't be too good.

You have had to be 16 to purchase knives for a while now I believe.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Its a Silly proposal that is not going to stem the problem.

They Banned handguns after the dunblane murders after mounting media preasure. That did what, well nothing. People are still getting shot with black market supplied guns. They are trying to impliment a plan that does nothing.

They need to re-orginise and re evalutate the whole legal system with tougher punishments for deterrants.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.