Written question asked by William Ross (Ulster Unionist Party) on Wednesday, 4 November 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 19 November 1998. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Thursday, 19 November 1998 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Northern Ireland Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many murders were committed with firearms in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years and the current year; in how many cases in each year the fatal shots were fired with (1) a handgun, indicating how many such handguns were (a) revolvers and (b) automatic or semi-automatic weapons, (2) rifles of .22 calibre, (3) other rifles, indicating in respect of each of these two categories how many were (a) bolt action and (b) semi-automatic weapons, (4) machine guns and submachine guns, (5) shotguns, indicating how many such deaths were caused by legally held firearms of each category; and how many victims were killed by (i) the legal owner of the weapon used, (ii) terrorists, (iii) members of the armed forces, (iv) police officers and (v) other members of the security forces and prison officers. - Will write.

Answer: Mr. William Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many murders were committed with firearms in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years and the current year; in how many cases in each year the fatal shots were fired with (1) a handgun, indicating how many such handguns were (a) revolvers and (b) automatic or semi-automatic weapons, (2) rifles of .22 calibre, (3) other rifles, indicating in respect of each of these two categories how many were (a) bolt action and (b) semi-automatic weapons, (4) machine guns and submachine guns, (5) shotguns, indicating how many such deaths were caused by legally held firearms of each category; and how many victims were killed by (i) the legal owner of the weapon used, (ii) terrorists, (iii) members of the armed forces, (iv) police officers and (v) other members of the security forces and prison officers. [59031] Mr. Ingram: I shall write to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 319 c739W; 59031
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: Armed forces Firearms Homicide Northern Ireland Police Prisons Terrorism