guns -- some of which can fire a nail up to 50 metres.

The Bermuda Police Service has recently received several queries from the public over which types of guns need to be registered.

And this week, firearms officer P.c. Stuart Kirkpatrick explained that guns using ammunition to fire the nail need licensing as do guns with a barrel.

Failure to license them could lead to a 10-year jail term for possession of an offensive weapon -- depending on the circumstances surrounding the offence.

There have been no reports of any being used in crimes.

It is not known exactly how many nail guns are on the Island although P.c.

Kirkpatrick said there had been an influx of the guns into Bermuda, for use mainly in the construction industry.

"Some of the older versions can fire a nail up to 50 metres, although there are very few, if any, left on the Island. Most of the nail guns now do not have a barrel,'' said P.c. Kirkpatrick.

He added if anyone had any queries they should contact the Force adminstration officer at the Service's Headquarters on 295 0011.

FIRE POWER -- Bermuda Police firearms officer P.c. Stuart Kirkpatrick shows off two types of nail guns which would need licensing.