Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the relative danger, when used by criminals, of lever release rifles, MARS rifles, and standard hunting rifles; and what evidence such assessment is based on.

The Government has included provisions in the Offensive Weapons Bill to prohibit rapid firing rifles which use the MARS and lever release mechanisms. The proposed prohibition is based on concerns from the police about the potential for serious misuse and loss of life if these weapons were to fall into the hands of criminals or terrorists, since they can discharge rounds at a much faster rate than conventional rifles and are significantly more dangerous.

That is not to say there is an imminent threat that these weapons are about to be used by criminals or terrorists but, in view of the threat assessment received, the Government has a clear duty to take preventative action to protect the public by making these weapons subject to more stringent controls.