TERROR IN OUR CITIES

UP to two million guns are on the streets of Britain, official estimates say.

Weapons ranging from .22 rifles to machine guns are freely available on the black market.

Many are smuggled in from ex-Soviet states. Others are made from replica guns and air rifles, which can be converted with basic skills.

Expert Roger Gray — a former Met police firearms officer — said: “Major UK cities are awash with illegal weapons and something needs to be done urgently.

“Everyone quotes America as being the most dangerous place for gun crime, but I’d say that the UK is much worse.

“Lorry loads of Ak47 assault rifles are stopped from entering the UK, but many get through.”

He added: “Hand guns are now a fashion accessory in the drug trade, along with black BMWs.

“You find foot soldiers with First World War revolvers, and their bosses with silver Berrettas.

“People think ordinary folk are safe.

“But sooner or later, it could easily spill over to a busy shopping centre.”

The Government is to rush through new laws next week giving a minimum five years’ jail to anyone carrying a gun.

But last night Tories and Lib-Dems gave a cool response to the idea.

Conservative home aff-airs spokesman Dominic Grieve called for better community policing and targeting of offenders.

He said: “There are no quick fix solutions.”

-- Anonymous, January 04, 2003