YOUNG people are being warned that they risk a year in prison if they are caught carrying an imitation firearm as part of tough new powers which became law on October 1. Surrey and Hampshire Constabulary firearms officers are welcoming the legislation, part of the Violent Crime Reduction Act, designed to help in the fight against gun crime and the menace of imitation firearms. The new measures tighten the rules on possessing imitation guns and air rifles, and will make it illegal to manufacture, import or sell realistic imitation firearms. Imitation guns feature in a significant number of crimes – in 2005-06 more than 3,000 crimes in the UK involved imitation weapons, accounting for 15 per cent of all firearms offences. In Hampshire, however, that figure is far higher. In the crimes recorded between April 2006 and April 2007, 181 included the use of a firearm. Of these, 87 involved a BB gun and 38 related to the use of air weapons – representing a total of 69 per cent of total incidents. The new rules restrict the sale of air rifles – anyone wishing sell them, by way of trade of business, must be a registered firearms dealer, and among the new powers, police will be able to withdraw a seller's licence if they violate age restrictions. Records of sales of air rifles will now have to be kept – so removing the protection of anonymity from purchasers, and deterring casual or irresponsible purchases. This protects the public, while still allowing young people to use air weapons under controlled conditions, or at approved shooting clubs. From next week it is: l Illegal to manufacture, import or sell realistic imitation guns l Illegal to sell an imitation gun or a knife or an air rifle to anyone under 18 years old l An offence to modify an imitation gun to make it realistic or convertible into a real firearm l Double the maximum sentence for carrying an imitation gun in public – now a year in prison l Illegal to sell a crossbow to anyone under 18 years old. Further to this, owners of licensed premises are encouraged to take a responsible attitude to monitoring the use of weapons – and face losing their licence if they don't take necessary action. As of this week, police can apply for a fast-track review of an alcohol licence if a venue is associated with crime and disorder, and can impose immediate conditions on the licence holder while the review is underway. Insp Elliot Brown, head of the Tactical Firearms Support Unit whose officers are leading the Fake Gun, Real Trouble awareness campaign, said: "We very much welcome this new legislation and will maximise the new powers it gives us to crack down on the illegal use of imitation firearms "BB guns and imitation firearms are not toys. By carrying one you are putting yourself and others in your community at risk – and you could now face 12 months in prison, a high price for carrying a 'toy'. He went on to say, "Now it is not just irresponsible for retailers to sell them – it is illegal. We will be enforcing this law and our aim is to rid the streets of this menace. "It is not just about the risk to the individual but the cost to the community. "Police response to firearms incidents which turn out to involve replica weapons or air guns costs the taxpayer in the two counties hundreds of thousands of pounds a year – wasted money which could be spent on providing policing in your neighbourhood. "Now is the time to get rid of illegally held air weapons or imitation guns, because if we catch you using them illegally, you will be prosecuted" said Insp Brown.
