GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS ON AIRGUNS

Early day motion 536, tabled 16 January 2003 by Martyn Jones (Labour). Signed by 4 members.

That this House notes the Government's announcement that legislation will be introduced to make it an offence to possess an airgun in a public place without lawful authority and to extend the age for adult supervision of a young person using an airgun to those between fourteen and seventeen years; welcomes the creation of a new offence targeting possession in public; but calls on the Government not to pursue changes in the law on supervision; further notes that increasing the age limit for supervision will criminalise the overwhelming majority of innocent young people who currently use airguns responsibly and within the law and that it will be wholly ineffective in targeting and tackling those thugs who misuse airguns who already take no notice of the many laws aimed at airgun misuse; and calls on the Government to remember its manifesto pledge not to restrict shooting sports.

Signatures by party: Conservative 2, Labour 1, Plaid Cymru 1.