Written question asked by Anne Snelgrove (Labour) on Thursday, 10 November 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 14 November 2005. It was answered by Hazel Blears (Labour) on Wednesday, 30 November 2005 on behalf of the Home Office.

Internet Arms Sales

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the regulation of distance-selling of less lethal weapons via the internet.

Answer: I have been asked to reply.The internet is regulated by the application of existing law, which applies equally online and offline. It is an offence to sell seventeen offensive weapons, in addition to flick knives and gravity knives to a person of any age; to market a knife in a way which suggests it is suitable for combat; and to sell a knife to a person under 16. We are raising this to 18 in the Violent Crime Reduction Bill currently before Parliament.Tasers and incapacitant sprays using CS or PAVA are prohibited weapons and cannot be sold, purchased or possessed without authority from the Secretary of State. Baton guns are also controlled under firearms laws and, depending on their size, can be prohibited weapons.

Secondary information