From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] You said the Government's response to the HAC report might be unfavourable, but how could they push through any new laws in the forseeable future owing to lack pf Parliamentary time? Haven't I read somewhere that the Home Secretary has the power to make instant adjustments to the Firerams Acts off his own bat withour further reference to Parliament? Or was this power only ever discussed? Barry Woodward -- Well, the command paper will be unfavourable in large tracts, that is certain, but you're right, I doubt anything could be done for some time. The Home Secretary has the power under Section 1(4) of the 1988 Act to lay an order to ban any firearm that he considers to be particularly dangerous and that was not available in significant numbers prior to the 1988 Act. The HAC report suggested the Home Secretary consider whether or not long-barrelled revolvers are particularly dangerous or not. However, even an order like that would have to be laid before both Houses of Parliament, and my personal view is that it would be unlikely to pass without accompanying legislation because of the issues of compensation and so forth. The 1988 Act made no consideration of the ECHR, but now compensation would effectively _have_ to be paid. Steve. Cybershooters website: http://www.cybershooters.org List admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___________________________________________________________ T O P I C A The Email You Want. http://www.topica.com/t/16 Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Your Favorite Topics
