Britain is to introduce a five-year minimum jail sentence for people caught carrying illegal guns, Home Secretary David Blunkett has said..
The plans are part of a government crackdown on gun crime that had been planned for some time but have added urgency following the New Year killings of Latisha Shakespear and Charlene Ellis.
Mr Blunkett is also holding a gun crime summit on Friday that will bring together police chiefs, community leaders from Birmingham and across Britain, customs and immigration officials, and the Crown Prosecution Service.
It is intended to uncover gaps in legislation on firearms offences and will highlight the problem of the import of guns from the Balkans.
The Government is also thought to be considering introducing a ban on replica guns, such as air rifles adapted to fire live bullets.
Figures set to be released by the Home Office are to show that gun crime has doubled under Labour and that an average of 22 firearms offences were committed every day in Britain, according to reports.
PA