Background Firearms control
25.The use of illegal firearms by urban street gangs and organised criminal groups is a continuing cause of concern. In 2010 the Home Affairs Select Committee conducted an inquiry into firearms control. In its report (Third Report of Session 2010-2011, HC 447) the Committee recommended that the Government should “introduce new offences for supply and importation of firearms to ensure that those guilty of such offences face appropriate penalties”. In its report Ending Gang and Youth Violence,(10) published in November 2011, the Government undertook to consult “on the need for a new offence of possession of illegal firearms with intent to supply, and the penalty level for illegal firearms importation”. The consultation document, Consultation on legislative changes to firearms control, was published on 8 February 2012.(11) The Government’s response to the consultation was published on 22 October 2012. In a written ministerial statement (House of Commons, Official Report, column 44WS; House of Lords, Official Report, column WS1), the Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice announced that the Government would increase the maximum penalty for the illegal importation of firearms to life imprisonment and create a new offence of possession with intent to supply with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Sections 108, 109 and 111 give effect to this.