UK: Replica Guns to be Banned...?

[Zedicus]

http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/...e=-Replica-guns--to-be-banned--name_page.html

Replica guns 'to be banned'
Nov13 2003
By Matt Slater Echo Reporter


REPLICA guns which criminals are converting into deadly weapons are may be banned from UK sale.

The move follows the jailing of brothers Anthony and David Hampson who turned their Liverpool homes into gun factories.

Home Secretary David Blunkett is looking at ways of tightening up the laws on the type of imitation gun that can be sold. Currenty they have to be put through a test which means they can only be classed as legal if they are not "readily convertible".

But the Hampson brothers' case is a prime example of how criminals are easily turning the replicas into guns capable of firing bullets.

Anthony Hampson, 48, of St Domingo Grove, Everton and David Hampson, 38, from Barker Way, Kensington, bought starting pistols and imitation handguns from shops across Merseyside.

In just 20 minutes they would remove all blockages and insert strong metal tubing to create a real firearm.

At Liverpool crown court this week Anthony Hampson was sentenced to six years in jail and David Hampson 5 1/2 years.

A Home Office spokesman said: "The next Criminal Justice Bill will mean it is against the law to have a replica gun in public.

"The Home Secretary is aware of replica guns being converted and the tests they go through will be looked at. That could mean some types not being allowed to go on sale."

Liverpool Riverside MP Louise Ellman said: "I believe all replica firearms should be banned and I welcome any move towards that."

* An associate of the Hampsons, who was also charged with converting replicas into guns, is today still on the run.

Anthony Dean Harrington was due to appear in court alongside the brothers but failed to turn up.

The 23-year-old, known to have lived in the Wirral area, may have moved away and police want anyone who knows him to come forward.

They can be contacted through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

But the Hampson brothers' case is a prime example of how criminals are easily turning the replicas into guns capable of firing bullets.

Anthony Hampson, 48, of St Domingo Grove, Everton and David Hampson, 38, from Barker Way, Kensington, bought starting pistols and imitation handguns from shops across Merseyside.

In just 20 minutes they would remove all blockages and insert strong metal tubing to create a real firearm.

And they meraculisly worked eh?
Seems to me that they would most likely just Explode if anything..

Just more knee jerk bull to revoke what little rights the population of the uk has...

"The next Criminal Justice Bill will mean it is against the law to have a replica gun in public.

And WHERE Exactly is considered Public?

According to the police in my area, anywhere outside your home is a "Public Place".

 

[Mk VII]

"a place to which the public are permitted to have access, whether as of right or upon payment of a fee"

 

[Standing Wolf]

The replica of English common law looks awfully tarnished to my eye.

 

[El Tejon]

Can kids still use their fingers and say "bang, bang"?

Of course, this assumes being male is still legal in the UK. I doubt that though.