You asked
ONS data show that there was 8,135 police recorded firearm offences in 2012-13, and 30 firearm homicides.
My question is how many of these (total offences and murders), or what proportion, involved a firearm that was legally held (under license) at the time of the offence.
We said
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publish information relating to overall police recorded firearm offences, but do not hold information relating to firearm licenses. I have spoken to the Home Office who supply us with the firearms data and they have informed me that they hold some information relating to homicides, but not for overall firearm offences.
The Home Office have supplied me with the following information:
In 2012 to 2013, there were three homicides in which the firearm that was used was known to be licensed. There were two homicides where we do not know whether the firearm was licensed. So that leaves 25 where the firearm was not licensed.
If you have any questions relating to these statistics please contact the Home Office at public.enquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk.