Offensive Weapons Bill

Key Points

• Clarifies and potentially broadens the weapons covered by section 141 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988.
• Creates or clarifies offences and penalties relating to the sale or possession of offensive weapons.
• Aims to close loopholes and update definitions to reflect contemporary threats and offences.
• Currently at the 2nd reading in the Commons; will progress through committee and report stages.
• Sponsored by Helen Hayes (Labour Co-op).

Progress

The bill is at the 2nd reading in the House of Commons. After this, it will move to committee stage, then report stage and third reading in the Commons, before moving to the Lords.

Voting

In the three recorded divisions, Labour (Co-op) MPs generally supported the bill, Conservatives were split, and Lib Dems and other parties largely backed the measure, with mixed positions across groups.