LICENSED ARMS IN NORTHERN IRELAND

Motion Text

That this House believes that if a lasting peace is to be achieved in Northern Ireland, every effort must be made to put all weapons and explosives beyond use; regrets that in addition to the estimated 3,000 firearms held by paramilitary groups, 116,892 rifles, shotguns and handguns are licensed to private individuals and gun clubs in Northern Ireland; notes that virtually all of these weapons are held by members of Northern Ireland's unionist community; and urges that legislation banning private ownership of firearms in England, Wales and Scotland be extended to Northern Ireland.