General
The Violent Crime Reduction Bill is likely to become law before the end of 2006 but will take effect only after Commencement Orders have been tabled in Parliament. It seems that the first part to take effect will be that which raises from 17 to 18 years the age at which a person may buy or be sold an air weapon or ammunition for an air weapon.
Implementation of the part relating to trade in air weapons will be delayed until Rules have been made and practical arrangements are finalised. Until then, some of the detail will remain uncertain.
This briefing note is concerned onl