Tighter gun laws come into force

It is now an offence to carry a firearm or imitation

Tough new laws which aim to tighten the control of imitation guns in the Isle of Man have come into force.

The laws, part of the Criminal Justice and Police Act, will make it an offence to carry a firearm or imitation with the intent to cause fear of violence.

Anyone convicted of this could face up to ten years in prison, the Isle of Man government said.

It is also now an offence to carry an imitation firearm in public without lawful authority or reasonable excuse.

Sgt Terry Stephen said the new legislation would be a great help to the Manx police force, after a number of recent incidents involving young people who had BB guns in public and who were dealt with under public order laws.