CALLS for changes in firearm legislation were today made by a police chief following the tragic death of gun-enthusiast Karl Barry.

Mr Barry, aged 19, was shot by a single bullet from a Brocock Orion 3 air cartridge pistol.

It had been modified by altering the firing pin and inserting a metal tube into the chamber so it could fire live bullets.

David McCrone, Deputy Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, said anyone with modest mechanical or engineering skills and access to a lathe or drilling equipment could convert the .22 calibre pistols into illegal firearms in just a few hours.

Bolton South East MP Brian Iddon today backed the call to tighten gun laws to enable the pistol, which is readily available over the counter in licensed gun shops, to be classed as a firearm.

Mr McCrone, who is a firearms advisor to the Association of Chief Police Officers, said: "The Brocock air cartridge gun represents a danger to the public because of the relative ease by which it can be converted to a functioning firearm prohibited under the Firearms Act.

"There is evidence of such weapons being converted and then used in crime, including several murders.

"It is likely that several hundreds have been converted into prohibited firearms.

"But thousands of the weapons exist and are readily for sale without any form of licence restriction."

Mr McCrone said the Brocock air pistol is just one example of a number of air weapons criminals convert to firearms.

He added: "Other imitation firearms are being converted into banned weapons and used by criminals."

But he described the Brocock as "the most prevalent converted weapon currently" and said it "highlighted a weakness in the present firearms laws."

Mr McCrone added: "The Brocock comes under the definition of an air gun and escapes the definition of a firearm -- which would otherwise cause it to be banned.

"The way the law is currently is that if the Brocock could be converted with a screwdriver then it would legally be a firearm and banned, but because it is not quite as easy as that to convert the pistol it remains legal."

"However, anyone with modest mechanical or engineering skills and access to a lathe or drilling equipment could convert one of these guns. "Nowadays such equipment is easily available and inexpensive which was not the case when the law was made.

"ACPO has recommended that the law be changed to tighten the definition of a firearm which would bring weapons like the Brocock into that definition." "Or alternatively to give powers to the Home Secretary to ban such weapons when evidence is presented to show they present a danger to the public."

"It should be noted that Brocock have other types of air guns which are not readily convertible and do not present a problem. " Bolton South East MP Dr Brian Iddon also backed the call.

He said: "It is a serious concern in Parliament."

"Guns are also being de-activated and sold at gunshops as collectors items. People are buying them and re-activating them. I am equally as concerned about that."

Founded in 1989, the Brocock gun company are based in Birmingham.

The Brocock Orion 3 is available by mail order for about £150.