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Study reveals converted gun use Study reveals converted gun use
(about 1 hour later)
A study of criminals who use guns has found that many are arming themselves with converted imitation firearms. Police crackdowns on the possession of firearms has led to an increase in the use of converted imitation weapons, a study has concluded.
The survey also found that most gun crime is linked to the drugs trade with many offenders trying to emulate other criminals who they see as successful. The survey found that specialist criminal "armourers" are supplying weapons through a close-knit network.
The research team is calling on the government to crackdown on the conversion of imitation weapons. The research team has called on the government to do more to prevent the conversion of imitation weapons.
A total of 80 convicted criminals who used guns were interviewed in jail for the Home Office-commissioned study. Home Office minister Tony McNulty said new laws were being introduced banning the sale of imitation firearms.
Ammunition A total of 80 criminals aged 18 to 30 and convicted under the Firearms Act were interviewed in jail for the Home Office-commissioned study.
The team also called for the government to tighten up the laws surrounding the use of rifle ammunition. The research found converted imitation firearms were more widely available than purpose built weapons.
Gavin Hales, of the University of Portsmouth and a member of the study team, said people with licences were buying ammunition before selling it un to unlicensed buyers. Illegal importation
Mr Hales said: "In terms of the guns themselves we are looking at converted imitation firearms. It's not that easy to get hold of guns on the whole. Gavin Hales, of the University of Portsmouth and a member of the study team, said: "What we have seen is a rise in the past five to ten years in the availability of converted imitation firearms.
"There's a strong theme of drug crime to come out of it as well. One of the major insights is into the credibility of the criminal lifestyle. "It reflects the fact that real guns are hard to get hold of and attempts to reduce them have worked. Why would you use an imitation when you can get a real gun?
"Young guys in poor communities are seeing individuals who have all the trappings of success knowing they are involved in drugs crime and armed robbery." "The offenders themselves are also wary of using such guns because of their lack of accuracy and the fact they could blow up in their hands."
We are committed to tackling gun crime through tough legislation and working with communities Tony McNultyHome Office minister
The main sources of firearms were found to be illegal importation, the burglary of guns and the conversion of imitation firearms.
Specialist criminal "armourers" were mentioned by at least 12 of the interviewees.
Prices ranged from £20 for an imitation firearm, £50 for a shotgun, £1,000 and above for a purpose-built handgun and between £800 and £4,000 for an automatic firearm.
The study also found that most gun possession and use related to the illegal drugs market.
'Challenge'
Offenders said guns were used often as a result of disputes relating to status and respect.
They said trivial disputes may result in shootings as guns elevate threat levels and a "shoot or be shot" attitude is held by many.
Many offenders told the research team that they had become involved in the use of guns after seeing the wealth achieved by community figures involved in armed robbery or drug dealing.
The study team called for a crackdown on imitation firearms but said gun crime represented a "challenge".
'Complex problem'
The report concludes: "The illegal use of firearms is not a singular problem but is complex, entrenched and poses significant challenges to communities, police and policymakers.
"Some findings point to clear recommendations, such as greater efforts to tackle the availability and conversion of highly realistic imitation firearms.
"Most, however, are more challenging and require social and economic rather than technical solutions."
Home Office minister Tony McNulty said: "We are committed to tackling gun crime through tough legislation and working with communities.
"Firearms offences fell by eight per cent in the 12 month period up to June 2006 and we want to drive it down further.
"Through the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 we will be introducing new laws to ban the sale, manufacture and importation of realistic imitation firearms and a new offence of 'minding' a firearm.
"This new legislation builds on the mandatory five year sentence for possession of a prohibited firearm and, in fact, extends this sentence to other possession offences."