Proposed restrictions on replica guns would reduce violent crime - Ludford

11.14.00am GMT Mon 18th Jun 2007

Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP has today welcomed the opinion by the Civil Liberties Committee on a report to be voted in the Internal Market Committee which looks to strengthen the traceability of illegal firearms, strengthen registration procedures (the time that details of weapons must be kept is proposed to be increased from 5 to 20 years). It also seeks to include converted and replica weapons within this scope.

Baroness Ludford emphasised the need for a firm stance on replica weapons:

"The term replica is misleading. It is surprisingly easy to convert these 'replica' guns into live weapons. There are now more converted 'replica' guns circulating around the UK than purpose-built weapons. The UK, as well as the EU, needs to take a firm line and take a firm line in tackling conversions of this kind."

"Given that the evidence shows an increase in the use of converted weapons within London and the EU, it is essential to ensure that such convertible weapons are brought within the definition of 'firearm' in this Directive. We need to stop criminals from exploiting this loophole. Communities across London need to know that they are safe to walk the streets."

Notes to Editors:

On 19th January 2007 Baroness Ludford asked Mr Franco Frantini, Vice-President of the European Commision and Commissioner for Freedom, Security and Justice:

"A recent study by Portsmouth University for the UK Home Office found an increase in the past five to ten years in the availability of imitation guns converted to live-firing weapons, and that an increasing proportion of gun crimes in the UK involves the use of such converted imitation guns. According to this research, converted firearms are now more widely available in the UK than purpose-built weapons. The researchers identified one of the main problems as being different standards of regulation on imitation guns across the EU. Thus, whilst the UK has tight controls on imitation guns, other EU countries are less restrictive. What initiative might the Commission take to tackle at the EU level the availability and conversion of imitation firearms?"

On the 13th February 2007 Mr Frattini replied on behalf of the Commission:

"There is indeed no Community legislation on "imitation" or replicas of firearms, which are dealt by national legislations. Imitation or replicas are regarded in the same way as other goods within the Internal Market. Article 30 of the Treaty establishing the European Community (TEC) states that the provisions of Articles 28 and 29 TEC (on prohibition between Member States of quantitative restrictions on imports or exports and all measures having equivalent effect) shall not preclude prohibitions or restrictions on imports, exports or goods in transit justified on grounds of public morality, public policy or public security; the protection of health and life of humans, in particular. The control of illicit conversion of gun imitations or replicas falls under Member States competences. However, the Commission is open to further analyse the scope of the problem with competent national authorities."