BASC has submitted its response to a Home Office consultation on “offensive weapons”.
Proposals outlined in the Home Office’s consultation on new legislation on offensive and dangerous weapons include prohibiting .50 calibre and Manually Actuated Release System (MARS)-type rapid firing rifles and making it compulsory for any knife ordered by mail order to be delivered to a location other than a residential address so that the age of the purchaser can be verified before handing over.
They also include prohibiting simple possession on private premises of any object covered in the Offensive Weapons Order 1988; extending the provisions of the Offensive Weapons Act 1996 to higher education premises and not just schools and redefining a flick knife.
In its robust response to the consultation, BASC says:
• .50 calibre target rifles and rifles that use the Manually Actuated Release System should not be reclassified as prohibited firearms.
• There should be no requirement to have collection in person for any knife bought online.
• The proposed new definition of a flick knife will catch assisted opening knives which have legitimate uses.
• The Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons Order) is not fit for purpose and should be reviewed.