Anyone who did not renew a gun licence can expect a visit soon.

Checks will be carried out to ensure any weapon where a licence has not been renewed has been disposed of properly.

Home Affairs Minister Bill Malarkey said: ’The Chief Constable has advised me that 966 persons who previously had licences have renewed and 12 have failed to reapply.

’It is likely that the police will now visit the 12 who have not reapplied to renew the gun licence within the next few days, if they have not already done so.’

Anyone who has not re-applied for a licence must prove they no longer possess the gun, crossbow or the ammunition for which the licence was issued.

’They must furnish proof that these items have been properly surrendered, either to the police or to a licensed firearms dealer or to someone otherwise lawfully entitled to possess them,’ Mr Malarkey told Tynwald on Tuesday.

’This will typically be achieved by correspondence, such as copies of the receipts. If adequate proof has not been provided or other concerns arise, police officers may conduct site visits on former licence holders to ensure that firearms ammunition has been properly disposed of.’

Mr Malarkey - in response to a question from David Ashford (Douglas North), who queried the level of proof of disposal and also the lack of up-to-date procedures in legislation - confirmed that an ’overdue’ review of gun laws in the Isle of Man was taking place.