ROGUE gun traders will be targeted by trading standards bosses, if councillors agree to give them new enforcement powers.

Selling replica firearms became an offence in October, and City of York Councillors are now being asked to take steps to enforce the law locally.

Under proposals to the authority's neighbourhood services panel, trading standards officials would be given the right to respond to complaints from the public, and take "proportionate and effective" action. But the new law does not allow officers to catch offenders by using test purchases.

Andrew Waller, the council's executive member for neighbourhood services, said: "Many replica firearms look so realistic and they are hard to distinguish from the real thing. It is important that the council enforces new measures to comply with this legislation, so shop owners and their customers know what can and cannot be sold.

"Over recent years the council has started checks on the sales of knives, on top of alcohol, aerosols, and cigarettes to underage youths. I welcome the council preparing to take enforcement action on the sale of replica guns and working with the Home Office and Police Authority to achieve this.

* For more details see The Press today.