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LONDON - Tony Blair has promised to tighten the law aimed at punishing teenagers who carry guns, despite the fact that similar legislation already exists.
The Prime Minister said a review of firearms law would look at whether 17-year-olds should face the same minimum sentence as older offenders.
After four fatal shootings in London this month, the Metropolitan Police had asked the Home Office to extend the law so that 17-year-olds who carry guns would face a minimum sentence of five years.
"There is a particular problem, which is that the minimum five-year sentence that we have introduced for illegal possession of a firearm does not apply to those under the age of 21," Blair said.
"And we've got to lower that age, I think, as the police are suggesting, down to the age of 17."
Blair seemed unaware there has been a law in force since 2004 that sets a minimum five-year jail sentence for anyone aged 18 or over caught with an illegal gun.
- INDEPENDENT
