THE shock findings of a BEN investigation into the legal sale of high-powered firearms which could bring terror to the streets of Bolton are to be passed to Home Secretary Michael Howard.

We highlighted a frightening loophole in the law, where de-activated guns are being legally sold in Britain's high streets.

Criminals are buying the ex-military weapons, then, with the help of experts, re-activating them.

After reading last night's exclusive report, Bolton North East Conservative MP Peter Thurnham pledged to send the information to Mr Howard "as a matter of urgency".

Mr Thurnham said: "If it is true that some of these weapons are capable of being re-activated it is a very worrying matter.

"Clearly this needs to be looked at and I will send a copy of the BEN report to him straight away."

Bolton South East Labour MP David Young has called for a review of all legislation on firearms and offensive weapons following the revelations.

As reported last night, the BEN bought a de-activated AKMS military assault rifle for £180 from the Soldier Soldier shop in Higher Market Street, Farnworth.

Last year Greater Manchester Police seized 14 machine guns and found 13 had been re-activated with potentially deadly results.

And local firearms expert Brian Ford is in no doubt that re-activated weapons are being used by the North West's criminals.

But the shop owner has denied that the weapons sold in his shop can be re-activated and fired.

Yesterday Worsley MP Terry Lewis called for a ban on the sale of de-activated and replica weapons.

"A criminal armed with one of these weapons need not fire the rifle," he said.

"Simply by threatening a cashier or member of the public he will achieve his necessary object of frightening the wits out of them."

Today David Young said: "I have been asking that there should be a ban on the sale of replicas and these de-activated weapons for some time. "They can get into the wrong hands of people who will re-activate them, but the issue is much wider than that.

"Knives are a much greater direct threat each day to the police and these should be looked at as well.

"That is why I think the best way forward is for the police and all interested parties to press the next government to make a detailed review of all the legislation."

Police forces are increasingly anxious about the sale of de-activated weapons.

Det Chief Insp Kevin Haigh of Greater Manchester Police said: "In the past we have had problems in Manchester with the unlawful re-activation of weapons and we view this with grave concern."

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