Changes to the Law
Getting someone to hide or carry a dangerous weapon is now a criminal offence under new laws introduced by the Government.
Offenders could face up to ten years behind bars if they are convicted of using another person to look after a gun and up to four years for a knife.
Adults using a child to conceal a weapon could receive an even tougher penalty, when the new rules comes into force on 6 April 2007.
As part of the same strict measures to clamp down on violent crime, a minimum five-years in prison has been introduced for some gun offences.
These include:
- Setting out to use a firearm to injure someone;
- Setting out to use a firearm to scare others;
- Using a firearm to resist arrest;
- Carrying a firearm to commit a crime;
- Carrying a firearm in a public place and
- Trespassing with a firearm.
Security in schools and further education institutes is also being tightened up to protect the safety of young people, under the new law.
From 31 May, teachers will be given the power to search pupils if they believe someone has a dangerous weapon on them.
To find out more about the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006, see http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2006/20060038.htm
