Crime bill targets replica guns
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=629 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>Crime bill targets replica guns
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=416><!-- S BO --><!-- S IIMA --><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=203 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Some replica guns can be converted to fire live rounds
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!-- E IIMA -->Plans to ban the manufacture, import and sale of most kinds of replica guns have been outlined by the government.
The measures are included in the Violent Crime Reduction Bill.
The bill proposes an increase in the age limit for buying knives from 16 to 18, and search powers for head teachers who suspect they are being carried.
Binge drinking-related disorder will also be addressed, with proposed plans such as suspending alcohol sales in bars that persistently sell to minors.
Higher sentences
The proposals are part of the government's attempts to restore "respect" in communities, town centres, and schools, which it says is among its top priorities.
Home Office minister Hazel Blears said: "There is an increasing public concern around relatively low-level crime and anti-social behaviour escalating to more serious offences because people are under the influence of alcohol or carrying weapons."
Last year saw a 66% increase in offences involving replica firearms. Some of the guns fire blanks and others can be converted to fire live rounds.
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It is often almost impossible to tell the difference between a real gun and a replica
Ch Supt Paul Robinson
Scotland Yard
<!-- S ILIN -->Can you tell the difference?
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The planned legislation envisages higher sentences for carrying imitation guns, and tougher manufacturing standards to make sure replicas cannot be converted to fire real ammunition.
Welcoming the move, Chief Superintendent Paul Robinson, who heads Scotland Yard's special firearms operational command unit, said: "It is often almost impossible to tell the difference between a real gun and a replica.
"For someone walking down a street, all they know is someone is waving a firearm at them.
"Police officers face exactly the same situation and have to make split-second decisions on how to act."
He added that banning sales of the guns would, in all likelihood, result in a drop in armed robberies and firearms incidents.
Although it is an offence to carry an imitation gun in public, ministers had previously resisted imposing an outright ban on sales.
Knives most common
It was feared that those who use imitation firearms in films and on television, and children who play with water pistols or toy guns, could be criminalised.
But the bill has been drafted so the ban will exclude people who fall into these categories.
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Elliot, England
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Air weapons are also being targeted, with the age limit for buying or firing one without supervision being raised from 17 to 18.
It will also become an offence to use other people to hide or carry guns or knives.
Knives remain the weapon most commonly used in violent incidents, prompting the minimum age at which they can be bought to be raised from 16 to 18.
Drink banning orders
New powers to create designated Alcohol Disorder Zones, first aired in January, are being pursued in the bill.
The Home Office has said the "last resort" option would allow senior police officers and councils to pinpoint areas with binge drinking-related problems and levy an extra charge for policing on all licensed premises in the zone.
The law would give police the authority to ban the sale of alcohol for up to 48 hours in pubs where under-18s have been served.
They could ban individuals responsible for alcohol-fuelled disorder from an area for up to 48 hours.
Drinking banning orders could see troublemakers banned from specific areas and bars for up to two years. Leisure industry representatives have attacked the proposal to levy charges on pubs and clubs, claiming some venues could face an unfair £100-per-week bill. <!-- E BO -->
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4071848.stm
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