Paragraph 15 I1

Amend paragraph 4 (manufacture, import and sale of realistic imitation firearms) as follows.

After sub-paragraph (2) insert—

“(2A)

The Department of Justice may by regulations—

(a)

provide for exceptions and exemptions from the offence under sub-paragraph (1)(a), (b) or (c); and

(b)

provide for it to be a defence in proceedings for such an offence to show the matters specified or described in the regulations.”

In sub-paragraph (3) for “(1)” substitute “(1)(d)”.

In sub-paragraph (4)—

After sub-paragraph (4) insert—

“(4A)

The power of the Department of Justice to make regulations under sub-paragraph (2A) shall be exercisable by statutory rule for the purposes of the Statutory Rules (Northern Ireland) Order 1979^f1.

(4B)

That power includes power—

(a)

to make different provision for different cases;

(b)

to make provision subject to such exemptions and exceptions as the Department of Justice thinks fit; and

(c)

to make such incidental, supplemental, consequential and transitional provision as the Department of Justice thinks fit.

(4C)

Regulations under sub-paragraph (2A) shall be subject to negative resolution (within the meaning of section 41(6) of the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954^f2).”