Diane Supports Call to Hold Gun Smugglers Accountable

07 Oct 2009

Hackney North and Stoke Newington MP Diane Abbott gave her support today for calls to hold gun smugglers and dealers accountable for subsequent crimes committed with their weapons.

Referring to cases where replica guns reformed into real weapons have been sold on and used to commit crimes, the Lord Chief Justice said yesterday he wanted gun smugglers and dealers to be given longer sentences reflecting the seriousness of their dealings.

Despite a drop in gun crime, there have been a number of shootings in Hackney and East London over the past weeks which the police are treating as gang-related.

Commenting today Diane said:

“I spent years calling for tougher sentences for turning replica guns into live weapons and for firearms possession. There have been some improvements in sentencing but I welcome the Lord Chief Justice’s comments. It is true that gun traffickers should be sentenced with the effects their illegal trade has on local communities. Residents in Hackney and Stoke Newington have no sympathy for people who deal in guns. We see the effects of gun and gang crime and no the devastation it brings. I am in full support of the new sentencing guidance and will push to see it carried through.”



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