Tory right-wingers seek to oppose ban on rifles

ERG members aim to stymie .50-calibre weapons ban

Hard Brexit Tories will use a Commons vote to try and overturn Home Office plans to ban highpowered military-grade rifles in a show of political defiance aimed at Theresa May.

Police want the .50 calibre or higher weapons — which can immobilise a vehicle or truck from a mile away — banned because they fear a terrorist who got hold of one would be impossible to fight.

However, Steve Baker, Sir Bill Cash and Sir Bernard Jenkin are among the 35 Tory MPs supporting the amendment to the weapons bill that would prevent a ban on rifles that have a power of “over 13,600 joules at the muzzle”.