REGARDING your report and Comment about air pistols being on offer to children for £19 on a phoneline service (LET, July 6), action against the free availability of these toy guns and replicas should have been taken several years ago.

The Dunblane massacre prompted attention and revision of the firearms legislation. And I wrote asking the Home Secretary, Jack Straw, to include air guns in the restrictions.

In reply, it was explained that, to avoid impedence of the Fire Arm Bill, which being opposed by pro-firearms fraternity, it would be more precedent to deal with the air gun problem at a later date.

Evidently, now would be an appropriate time.

A review of your reports of the past 12 months produces evidence against these unnecessary toy guns that have caused many instances of personal injuries and property damage.

The police will tell you that there is adequate legislation to deal with any mis-use of such guns. Evidently it is not very effective - as the many unfortunate victims will testify.

J A MARSDEN, Scarborough Road, Blackburn.

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