Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the evidential basis is for the proposed ban on .50 calibre rifles.

The Government introduced an Offensive Weapons Bill on 20 June which includes proposals to prohibit high energy rifles with a kinetic energy of more than 13,600 joules. This prohibition would include some 0.50 calibre rifles.

Concerns have been raised by UK Law Enforcement about the risks that high muzzle energy rifles might pose to public safety if they were to get into the hands of criminals or terrorists. Given the potential risk to public safety from these types of rifles the Government is taking action to address these risks.

The Home Office holds information on the number of offences involving a firearm recorded by the police in England and Wales, but does not hold information on the calibre of firearm used in these offences.