[cuchulainn]

I'd be interested in learning about how they determined that 50 unsolved crimes involve the particular brand of weapon.

from the Independent

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/legal/story.jsp?story=394730Ban for airgun used in dozens of murders

By Jason Bennetto Crime Correspondent
07 April 2003

An airgun that has been illegally converted by criminals to fire a live .22 bullet and used in dozens of murders and shootings is to be banned by the Home Office.

The police have been campaigning for the Brocock pistol to be outlawed. A study by the Forensic Science Service has discovered that 50 unsolved murders and attempted murders were carried out with Brococks. The single-shot airgunhas become particularly popular with crack cocaine dealers who are unable to obtain conventional firearms.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton, a Home Office minister, said it was "unworkable" to ban all replica guns – as police chiefs would prefer – but there was "reason to single out Brocock [weapons]". The ban is expected to be included in forthcoming anti-gun laws that will include a five-year minimum jail term for having a gun in public and a new criminal offence of carrying a replica or blank-firing firearm in public without a good reason. Owners of replica guns that are particularly easy to convert to fire live ammunition will be given a choice of being licensed or handing in their guns.

The National Criminal Intelligence Service has reported that Brococks now account for 35 per cent of all guns recovered by the police. The pistols are imported from Germany and distributed by the Birmingham-based company Brocock, which makes the air cartridge system that powers the airgun pellets. The ME38 Magnum air pistol is the model most frequently used by criminals. The gun retails at about £120. It can be converted illegally for about £70 by fitting steel sleeves inside the chamber.

Detective Chief Superintendent John Coles, head of Operation Trident, the police unit dealing with Yardie-related drug shootings in London, said that about two thirds of the incidents involved replica and converted guns.

© 2003 Independent Digital (UK) Ltd

[Standing Wolf]

The ban is expected to be included in forthcoming anti-gun laws that will include a five-year minimum jail term for having a gun in public and a new criminal offence of carrying a replica or blank-firing firearm in public without a good reason.

Rarely does a day pass when I fail to feel grateful to our forefathers for having rebelled against the English and founded a republic.

[P95Carry]

The ban is expected to be included in forthcoming anti-gun laws that will include a five-year minimum jail term for having a gun in public Guess that'll increase the criminal's resolve to kill, instead of getting himself caught - they make murder sentences so leniant these days.:(

When will they learn .. you cannot get the guns out of criminal's hands ...... ever. But of course, they'll still keep hammerin away at the law abiding person ....... including locking them up if they just happen to attempt any self defence!:banghead: :rolleyes:

[STW]

I'm looking forward to them banning pipe once they identify zip guns as a potential threat. Of course, maybe they'll start with special licenses for plumbers first.:banghead:

[Shweboner]

This just goes to show that PEOPLE are the problem NOT GUNS... It went from regular firearms, to airguns. When the airguns are gone whats next? People will still be dying and being victimized... either using an ILLEGAL gun or a knife or bats, axe handles etc...

WHere will they draw the line? Banning common household items that can be used as weapons???

~Brian

[Azrael256]

WHere will they draw the line? Banning common household items that can be used as weapons??? Yes. That is EXACTLY what they will do. If you flip through a Japanese history book, you will see that it has been done before. Pretty soon, the only knife in the village will be the one chained to a rock at the center of town.