John Deasy
Question:170 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to increase the penalties for the possession of a lethal weapon with intent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7466/03]
Written Answers - Crime Prevention.
The provisions of the Firearms Acts 1925 to 2000 strictly govern the holding of a firearm, and the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 contains a number of controls regarding the availability and possession of knives and other offensive weapons.
Section 9 of the 1990 Act provides that it is an offence to have any knife or any other article which has a blade or which is sharply pointed in any public place without such good reason or lawful authority. The penalty on summary conviction for this offence is a fine up to €1,270 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both.
Section 10 of the 1990 Act makes it an offence to trespass with a knife or any article made for causing injury to or incapacitating a person intended for such use. Section 11 makes it an offence to produce any article capable of inflicting serious injury in a manner likely to intimidate another person, in the commission of an offence or in the course of a dispute or fight.
The penalty on conviction on indictment for the above offences is a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or both. My Department, in consultation with the Garda authorities, has considered all aspects of this issue and it would appear that the matter would best be addressed by the strict enforcement of the existing legislation and the exercise of a responsible approach by the vendors of these objects. Although I have no plans to amend existing legislation in this area, I would, of course, be prepared to consider any submissions which might be made to me in this regard.
Question No. 171 answered with Question No. 136.