Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he has taken to tackle the illegal possession of firearms in England.

This Government is committed to tackling the threat posed by the illegal possession of firearms. Our approach is centred around:

• Partnership working including working with law enforcement to tackle illicit firearms supply.

• Upstream intervention and securing the border by enhancing capabilities to reduce trafficking of illicit firearms into the UK.

• Restricting Organised Crime Group (OCG) access to illicit firearms by reducing diversion from the legal to illegal market.

The Government keeps firearms controls under constant review to safeguard against abuse by criminals and terrorists. The Firearms Act 2023 responds to concerns from law enforcement and extends licensing controls to miniature rifle ranges and extends the criminal law to cover possessing component parts of ammunition with intent to manufacture.

The Online Safety Act 2023 includes Firearms Offences in the list of priority offences. In addition, the recently introduced Criminal Justice Bill includes measures relating to the possession of 3D printed firearms templates.