On Thursday 19th November, I asked Leader of the House of Commons Chris Grayling MP for a debate on the current law governing the possession and sale of imitation weapons. 

My question came about after a case in the Cardiff Youth Court where two 14 year olds were given custodial sentences after an incident involving a BB gun. 

I was asked to comment on the issue, and questioned why if sale of these products is restricted to adults, children have been able to get hold of them. 

I find it concerning that these imitation weapons are allowed to be sold at all, which is why I’ve called for a debate on the current laws. 

Until the current legislation on the sale of BB guns and imitation firearms is reviewed and debated we run the risk of more instances of children getting hold of imitation weapons. 

The Leader of the House responded by saying that he would raise the matter with the Home Secretary, Theresa May. I’m pleased he has taken the issue seriously, and I will continue to call for a parliamentary debate so that the inadequacies of the current legislation can be reviewed leading to change. 

The full question I asked was: 

“Last week two teenagers received custodial sentences from Cardiff’s Youth Court following from an incident with a BB Gun – am Imitation Weapon – despite the sale of such weapons being illegal to under 18’s. Could we have a debate please on the current law governing the possession and sale of imitation weapons because the current law is clearly not working.” 

 

Chris Grayling, Leader of the House of Commons response was: 

“This is a very serious issue, because as the Honourable Lady knows, imitation weapons can be reactivated, and so weapons being sold as unusable can in fact become usable. So she is raising a broader issue, and it is something that I am absolutely certain the Home Secretary will and is taking very seriously. I will make sure that that particular circumstance is drawn to the Home Secretary’s attention. In the meantime I hope that the Police take action against the person who sold it [the imitation firearm].” 

You can watch the full debate here. 

The original story about the Cardiff case can be read here. 

 

[http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/ban-bb-gun-sales-parents-10443027] 

[https://youtu.be/8u9BHmaMF44] 

[http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/ban-bb-gun-sales-parents-10443027] 

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