Written question asked by Tony Marlow (Conservative), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 7 November 1996. It was answered by Ann Widdecombe (Conservative) on Thursday, 7 November 1996 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: Pursuant to his Answer of 4th November, c432W, on the use of firearms in notifiable offences, how many and what proportion of firearms used in the homicides for which information is available were of categories (a) to be banned and (b) not to be banned in the Firearms (Amendment) Bill. - Including figures.

Answer: Mr. Marlow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 5 November Official Report, column 432, on the use of firearms in notifiable offences, how many and what proportion of firearms used in the homicides for which information is available were of categories (a) to be banned and (b) not to be banned in the Firearms (Amendment) Bill. [2966] Miss Widdecombe: Of the 155 homicides involving firearms in England and Wales committed during the period 1992 to 1994 where the calibre of the weapon was known, 64, 41 per cent., involved handguns of a calibre exceeding .22 inches, the calibre to be prohibited by the Firearms (Amendment) Bill. Of the remainder, 91, 51 per cent., involved firearms that will not be prohibited.

Secondary information