I wish to make a complaint regarding the prominent photograph centred within the news report, ‘Police in gun security blitz’, on page 11 of the October 16 edition, in that it is misleading and gives the impression to your readership that handguns similar to those shown are still permitted to be held on a firearms certificate by private individuals.

The photograph centres upon a short-barrelled revolver (fitted with target sights). This was a popular type of weapon used by target shooters prior to the Firearms (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1997.

This act banned the private possession all cartridge ammunition handguns regardless of calibre and was created following the Dunblane massacre and in response to the Snowdrop Petition (only two weapons in the background of the photograph are correct, namely the double-barrelled ‘side by side’ shotgun and the Black Powder muzzle- loading pistol).

It should also be pointed out that firearm and shotgun certificate holders are still subject to unannounced security visits, and the announcement is in response to the new Home Office guidance given to officers only when there are due concerns over the storage of weapons.

The article, while factually correct, is at least scare mongering to a minority of those readers who are unaware of the current firearms legislation that are applicable to handguns in this country.

Name and address supplied.