Written question asked by Bridget Prentice (Labour) on Tuesday, 13 May 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 21 May 2003. It was answered by Bob Ainsworth (Labour) on Wednesday, 21 May 2003 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps the Government is taking to reduce the (a) sale and (b) purchase of replica guns in the UK.

Answer: Ms Bridget Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government are taking to reduce the (a) sale and (b) purchase of replica guns in the UK. [114079] Mr. Bob Ainsworth: It is difficult to devise a suitable working definition for the purposes of restricting the sale or purchase of replica firearms. We are, however, introducing in the Anti-Social Behaviour Bill a new offence of having an imitation firearm in a public place without lawful authority or reasonable excuse.

Secondary information