THERE have been examples in the past of poor legislation, drawn up in haste in response to tragic events.

We must refrain from going down such a dangerous path in the aftermath of the terrible New Year party shooting in Birmingham.

The response from Government must be considered and effective, not knee jerk and useless.

It is ridiculous to expect that the threat from guns will be eradicated. Hardened and determined criminals will always find a way to have firearms at their disposal.

But every effort must be made by the police and legislators to make the availability of weapons as difficult as possible.

It is clear that the criminal justice system has failed to keep track with the growing gun culture within our society.

Tougher sentences must be handed out to anyone carrying a gun. The sentences must act both as a deterrent and a reflection of how our society will not tolerate the gun menace on our streets, particularly in urban areas.

People who carry guns with the intent to threaten others deserve to lose their liberty.

It reflects badly on the courts that this is not always the case.

Any legislation emerging from these dreadful deaths in the Midlands must entail mandatory imprisonment for those found guilty of the illegal possession of firearms.