Mark presenting the Edinburgh North & Leith petition to Home Office Minister Vernon Coakers.
Mark Lazarowicz MP, Member of Parliament for Edinburgh North & Leith, has welcomed the successful passage of a new law bringing in tighter controls for airguns and replica weapons.
The new legislation – the Violent Crime Reduction Act - passed its Parliamentary stages on Monday. Mark, who has led a local campaign for tougher measures on air weapons and replica guns, welcomed the new law. Mark said:
“I am glad that as a result of these campaigns the law on airguns and replica weapons is to be tightened up in this way. These measures will help to improve public protection and address the growing public concern about the use, ownership and possession of airguns.“
The Violent Crime Reduction Bill will help to restrict airgun sales. The proposed scheme will outlaw the sale of airguns from all non-registered retailers. The scheme will effectively ban the sale of airguns at car boot sales, corner shops, and any outlet not approved by the police. A new requirement for all guns sold to be handed over on a face to face basis will also mean the end of anonymous internet and mail order sales.
The age limit for the purchase of air weapons has also been raised to eighteen and there are new restrictions on the use of air weapons.
Tragic incidents across Scotland, and a number of incidents locally, have brought home to the public the fact that airguns, in the wrong hands, can be lethal weapons. In July Mark took the airguns campaign to the Home Office and met with the Minister for Policing, Security and Community Safety, Vernon Coaker MP. Mark outlined the need for prompt action on the issue of airguns and replica weapons and also presented a petition, backed by thousands of supporters in the constituency.
Mark said: “I hope that these changes will help remove the menace of airguns from our streets and communities. There have been a number of serious incidents involving airguns in my own constituency. I will continue to campaign on this issue – and if the new laws don’t do the job, then I certainly intend to come back to Parliament to ask for stricter controls still.”
The Violent Crime Reduction Bill was debated in the House of Commons on Monday 30th October when the Lords Amendments to the Bill were considered by the House.
2nd November 2006Back to Press Releases