TIGHTENING controls on guns that can fire potentially deadly shot could be moved a step closer, after a North Yorkshire MP won a golden opportunity to get a new law on to the Statute Book.

Tory MP Anne McIntosh could aim to get through a law controlling ball-bearing guns after being drawn fifth in a ballot for private members' Bills.

The Vale of York MP's position means she has an excellent chance of piloting legislation through Parliament.

But she told the Evening Press that her idea was not set in stone - and challenged constituents to come up with suggestions of their own.

Miss McIntosh said she would like to tighten up the laws on selling ball-bearing guns - which resemble actual firearms - over the counter after constituents in Thirsk and Easingwold were fired at.

The front-bencher is concerned a police armed response unit could shoot dead a person carrying a ball-bearing gun. She said: "Controls on ball-bearing guns is a very strong possibility. I've had some support for this in the constituency, but it is certainly not decided.

"There are other issues affecting the constituency - the lack of affordable housing is one, and so is the fact the health providers of the NHS are bursting with debt.

"I want to choose something that matter to the people of the Vale of York and North Yorkshire, something that makes a difference to their daily lives.

"I'd like constituents to send me their ideas about what new laws they would like. I'm inviting comments and I expect people will come up with some fantastic ideas." Tougher controls on replica firearms would certainly be supported by North Yorkshire Police, who have responded to a series of incidents in York and North Yorkshire after residents reported people brandishing firearms.

In every incident, armed response officers must assume that all weapons are lethal unless proven otherwise.

When the 2004 Antisocial Behaviour Act made it an offence to have a toy gun, or replica, in a public place without a reasonable excuse, North Yorkshire Police chiefs welcomed the moves.

York area commander Superintendent Tim Madgwick called for a blanket ban on imitation guns after a siege in Heslington involving a replica weapon.

Miss McIntosh said she was "delighted" to be picked in the ballot. She said: "I don't win anything normally, not even bingo."

The first 20 MPs' names pulled from a hat are given Parliamentary time to put forward a law of their choice.

John Grogan, Labour MP for Selby, was picked 19th. He said he would "weigh up his options" over the weekend.

Updated: 08:57 Monday, May 30, 2005