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Firearms Seizure

Answer

The following table shows the number of firearms seized by HM Revenue and Customs in the last five years. It includes all firearms as defined in the Firearms Act 1968, but excludes self defence sprays, stun guns and parts of firearms.

Financial year	Number of rifles and hand guns seized	Number ofshot guns seized
1999–2000	512	129
2000–01	211	44
2001–02	415	219
2002–03	228	36
2003–04	285	8

Information on HMRC's detections of smuggled firearms is shared between HMRC's investigation staff, NCIS and police who assess the seriousness of the case and agree the arrangements for any follow up investigation. All cases other than those involving technical irregularities are considered for investigation either by police or HMRC.HMRC does not categorise seizures according to intended use as any attempt to smuggle a firearm is serious and seizures where there was no specific information can lead to the detection of further serious crime.Where a case has been referred to the police for investigation HMRC central records do not show whether or not criminal use was suspected at the time or subsequently established. A historic review to establish whether seizures were on the grounds of technical errors including inaccurate papers and licences or where there was smuggling for intended criminal use would only be available at disproportionate cost.HMRC's current assessment is that the incidence where firearms are smuggled with the intention of use in gun crime is low but that this remains a constant threat. They continue to work closely with NCIS and police forces to improve the intelligence available in this area.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

17276; 437 c1193W;437 c1175W

Session

2005-06

Related items

Firearms Seizures
Monday, 5 June 2006
Written questions
House of Commons

Subjects

Firearms Smuggling