Tough new laws which aim to tighten the control of imitation guns in the Isle of Man will come into force on Friday.

The Criminal Justice, Police a Courts Act will, among other things, make it an offence to carry a firearm or imitation with the intent to cause fear of violence.

Anyone convicted of this could face up to ten years in prison.

It will also be an offence to carry an imitation firearm in public without lawful authority or reasonable excuse.

Home Affairs political member, George Waft MLC, says young people need to stop using the guns as fashion accessories to impress their friends

Sergeant Terry Stephen says the new legislation will be a great help to the force, after a number of recent incidents involving young people who had bb guns in public were dealt with under public order laws (audio file attached):