15.Four options were considered, including ‘doing nothing’. This option was discounted because of the ongoing risk to public safety and sustained pressure on the government to act.
16.An option of introducing a total ban on keeping DWAs privately was considered, but was discounted because it was considered a disproportionate response to the existing problem.
17.The two options remaining were based on following the principles of the 1976 Act. One option involved simply replicating the 1976 Act, while the other involved mostly replicating the 1976 Act, but with additional provisions to take account of operational experience gained in Great Britain. The latter option was adopted because it was considered that this provided the best practical means of addressing the source of public concern associated with the keeping of DWAs while at the same time taking advantage of the operational experience gained in the administration of the 1976 Act. The latter formed the basis for both public consultations.