Downing Street Says » Gun Summit

Asked for more information on the Gun Summit, the PMOS replied that the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary would be focusing on three main areas. One was policing and working with communities; the second was powers for the police and the courts; and thirdly prevention, helping local communities to address the problems themselves. We also wanted to learn lessons from Boston, USA and in particular Paul Evans would be attending, former Chief of Police of the city and now Head of the Home Office Police Standards Unit. On legislation, we would bring forward criminalising the act of passing a gun to a younger sibling, friend or girlfriend. This would still count as possession by the person who passes the gun on, so that people could not seek to evade responsibility for their crimes. This power was due to come in later this year, we were now bringing that forward. This was just one example, but it was important that we went through previous experiences and found a tactical way forward. We needed to be careful however that this was kept in context. As the Prime Minister had said, this was a particular problem in a particular community, and should not be read wider than that.

Put to him that last Sunday the Prime Minister had announced a review looking into the way minimum sentences were handed to young people, secondly there was a discussion on membership of criminal gangs, and the third element would now be to bring forward this piece of legislation, the PMOS replied that this was correct. The reason was that a gang member would often hand a gun on to a girlfriend or younger brother for example, so that they could not be prosecuted for possession of the gun. We were now going to make that a criminal act.

Asked if there had been any consultation with the Scottish Executive, the PMOS pointed the journalist to the Home Office.

1 Comment »

It seems that the first Gun Summit has not come up with any effective plans to address the social problems that have directly contributed to this highly unfortunate problem.

After animalising the contributory factors and writing a lengthy article about this issue, with practical solutions, I would like to ask how it might be possible to apply to attend that second recently announced Gun Summit to be able to make a presentation.

Could you please advise me, as-soon-as-possible, how this might be possible?

Rodger G Deyn 07733-255022 0161-928 2448
Comment by Rodger G Deyn — 10 Mar 2007 on 3:32 am | Link

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» Thursday, February 22, 2007

Gun Summit

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