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Bullet-press ban by eBay after PC murder
Andrew Robinson AN Internet auction site has banned the sale of bullet-making equipment following pressure from an MP and the Yorkshire Post.
Batley and Spen Labour MP Mike Wood contacted eBay after the trial of David Bieber, who was convicted of murdering PC Ian Broadhurst in Leeds with ammunition made at home on a legally-purchased bullet press. Earlier this month a Yorkshire Post reporter discovered a Dillon RL500 bullet press – the same device as was used by Bieber – available on eBay.
This prompted Mr Wood, who knows PC Broadhurst's family, to contact the firm. He welcomed eBay's decision to ban such devices from its website and the company thanked him for bringing the matter to their attention.
Mr Wood said: "Since 1997 it has been illegal to buy and possess ammunition unless you have a firearms certificate. However the components and machinery for making your own can be bought freely, no questions asked, in shops and on the Internet.
"It has taken the tragic death of PC Broadhurst to expose this loophole which allows criminals to circumvent the law. eBay's decision... is excellent news for the campaign by PC Broadhurst's mother Cindy Eaton, who wants this loophole to be closed.
"I am very grateful to eBay UK for taking this decision and look forward to meeting representatives of the company to discuss how their ban will work."
He now hopes that the law can be amended so that all components and the machinery for making bullets are treated in the same way as firearms.
Mr Wood raised the matter in Parliament last Wednesday with the Prime Minister and tabled a Commons motion calling for the loophole to be closed, which has already attracted cross-party support.
Tony Blair told the Commons he would be scrutinising the law in light of the officer's death.
A spokeswoman for eBay UK Ltd said it had gone beyond what was required by English law. eBay was "determinedly opposed to sale of guns and related items" and "we do not allow ammunition, replica firearms, stun guns, legal air guns, deactivated guns, firearms components or related items to be sold on the site at all".
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Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 11 February 2012
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