Chuka was recently asked to respond to reports that replica guns are being sold in Streatham and used by young people for self defence. 

Commenting on the report in this week’s Streatham Guardian (which can be read here: Streatham Guardian), Chuka said:

“Reports of this kind are deeply worrying when the possession of the replica firearm is not for play and recreation, but allegedly for self defence.

“In 2006 we made it an offence to produce and sell imitation guns that could be mistaken for real firearms and we have strengthened the sentence for carrying these replicas so it can be punishable by imprisonment, which of course acts as a deterrent.

“However, I think we – as a community – need to ask ourselves why our young people feel the need to arm themselves.

“I do not remember guns being so prevalent when I was growing up here.

“In my view, what we see is partly linked to the proliferation of gangs leading to teen violence in South London. We must divert our young people away from them by giving them more to do out of school and much more of our time as adults – this why I am delighted that the right to request flexible for working is being extended to the parents of teenagers this April (something I have long campaigned for) and why I am working hard to increase funding for youth activities in this area.”