Home Office
Central Government
Action Planned
The Home Office states that the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, currently in the House of Lords, will make it a criminal offence to import, make, adapt, supply, or offer to supply components that can be used to manufacture prohibited weapons. (AI summary)
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Dear Timothy,
INQUEST FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF OWEN AUSTIN DONNELLY
REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS UNDER REGULATIONS 28 AND 29 OF THE CORONERS (INVESTIGATIONS) REGULATIONS 2013
I am writing to thank you for your Regulation 28 report of 21 October 2025 following the inquest into the death of Owen Donnelly which concluded on 16 October 2025. In your report you highlighted four specific concerns relating to the availability of for the manufacture of such that you consider present a risk of future deaths unless action is taken. I would like to pass on my condolences to Owen’s parents and family and friends about this tragic loss of life.
I am able to confirm that all of your recommendations should be addressed before the New Year. Turning to your report, the first of your concerns was that are readily accessible on the internet to enable the construction of . Your second concern was that the possession of such is not currently a criminal offence. These two concerns will be addressed by the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, which is currently completing its passage through the House of Lords. Once enacted, the Bill will make it a criminal offence to import, make, adapt, supply, offer to supply and that can be used
The measures in this Bill relating to cover the same ground as the Private Member’s Bill that you also mention in your letter. It is the Government’s aim that the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill will achieve Royal Assent by the Parliamentary Recess at the end of December.
You were also concerned about the proliferation of It is already the case that a . For the purposes of the , the method of manufacture is immaterial. . Penalties for possession include up to 10 years imprisonment with a minimum penalty of 5 years, and life for manufacturing or distributing prohibited weapons or ammunition.
The Government keeps the controls on all under constant review. There is multi- agency response in place to address emerging issues relating to which is led by the National Crime Agency. This provides a forum for collaborative work which includes understanding the threat, industry engagement and forensics development, and ensures we are able to respond to new threats.
Thank you again for your report. Public safety is at the heart of our controls, which is why we continue to take action to ensure that we have the strongest possible safeguards and legislation in place.
Very best wishes,
Minister of State for Policing and Crime
INQUEST FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF OWEN AUSTIN DONNELLY
REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS UNDER REGULATIONS 28 AND 29 OF THE CORONERS (INVESTIGATIONS) REGULATIONS 2013
I am writing to thank you for your Regulation 28 report of 21 October 2025 following the inquest into the death of Owen Donnelly which concluded on 16 October 2025. In your report you highlighted four specific concerns relating to the availability of for the manufacture of such that you consider present a risk of future deaths unless action is taken. I would like to pass on my condolences to Owen’s parents and family and friends about this tragic loss of life.
I am able to confirm that all of your recommendations should be addressed before the New Year. Turning to your report, the first of your concerns was that are readily accessible on the internet to enable the construction of . Your second concern was that the possession of such is not currently a criminal offence. These two concerns will be addressed by the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, which is currently completing its passage through the House of Lords. Once enacted, the Bill will make it a criminal offence to import, make, adapt, supply, offer to supply and that can be used
The measures in this Bill relating to cover the same ground as the Private Member’s Bill that you also mention in your letter. It is the Government’s aim that the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill will achieve Royal Assent by the Parliamentary Recess at the end of December.
You were also concerned about the proliferation of It is already the case that a . For the purposes of the , the method of manufacture is immaterial. . Penalties for possession include up to 10 years imprisonment with a minimum penalty of 5 years, and life for manufacturing or distributing prohibited weapons or ammunition.
The Government keeps the controls on all under constant review. There is multi- agency response in place to address emerging issues relating to which is led by the National Crime Agency. This provides a forum for collaborative work which includes understanding the threat, industry engagement and forensics development, and ensures we are able to respond to new threats.
Thank you again for your report. Public safety is at the heart of our controls, which is why we continue to take action to ensure that we have the strongest possible safeguards and legislation in place.
Very best wishes,
Minister of State for Policing and Crime