Airgun injury toll sparks amnesty call
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A national "hand-in" campaign for the four million home-held airguns was demanded by MPs yesterday as part of tighter controls on firearms.
The Commons Select Committee on Home Affairs was alarmed after learning an estimated 10,000 cats and 2,000 people are injured each year by airguns, often fired by children. Swans and badgers are among wild animals hit by the pellets.
The MPs were concerned at the lax laws on air weapons but refused a total ban on airguns to match the ban on handguns after the Dunblane massacre.
The committee said high-powered air weapons should be licensed - which would be for the first time - and the age of any purchaser should be at least 17. The MPs said the Home Office should start reducing the number of airguns held in British homes by campaigning for them to be surrendered at police stations.
"We are extremely concerned at the number of serious injuries by air weapons," said the MPs, although there is evidence that the number of shootings with air weapons has fallen. Their report said figures for 1998-89 showed air weapons caused nearly two-thirds of all recorded firearms offences.
They were appalled the Government had not introduced a national database of certificate holders for handguns after that ban was introduced in 1997.
The MPs called for a general review of the Firearms Acts, shotgun controls to be strengthened and for police to have the power to revoke shotgun licences for people they believe have become unsuitable. The changes would bring controls over shotguns closer to those covering more powerful Section One firearms such as rifles.
The committee chairman, Robin Corbett, the Labour MP for Birmingham Erdington, said: "We want licensing of all firearms which have the potential to kill - this will mean licensing most of the air weapons now in circulation."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments