THE ESTIMATED half a million air weapons in Scotland will have to be licensed under plans announced yesterday.
A consultation has been launched to give people the opportunity to inform the Scottish Government proposal.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: “We have a long-standing commitment to crack down on the misuse of guns and a licensing scheme for airguns will help address the problems that these weapons can cause to individuals and communities in the wrong hands. Too much misery and harm has been caused.
“We are not banning air weapons outright but there has to be a legitimate use for them. We do not believe that there should be half a million unlicensed firearms in 21st Century Scotland.
“We are not consulting on the principle of licensing; this will happen. While our primary concern is for public safety, we do not wish to penalise those who use air weapons responsibly and who can demonstrate a legitimate use for a gun such as sport shooting or pest control.
“Our plans to introduce a licensing regime for air weapons represent an important first step towards devolving all powers on firearms to the Scottish Parliament, something I will continue to lobby the UK Government for.
“I would encourage anyone with an interest in shooting or gun control to respond to the consultation.”
The consultation seeks views on the types of air weapon which should becovered by the new regime, legitimate reasons for possession of an air weapon, safety issues, penalties and fees.
The number of firearms incidents recorded by police fell by about one-fifth in a year, according to official figures released earlier this month.
The reduction of 21% took the total from 647 in 2010-11 to 514 last year in Scotland.
Air weapons accounted for almost four in 10 offences, down slightly from 234 to 195.
The new proposals were developed in consultation with the Scottish Firearms Consultative Panel, convened in November last year.
The proposals will affect anyone who owns an air weapon and wants to continue to do so, those buying new weapons, or those who wish to bring a weapon into Scotland, eg to competitions or on holiday.
Before the new laws come into effect, the Government said it will allow a period in which people can hand in unwanted guns.
The Justice Secretary has met Andrew Morton and Sharon McMillan whose two-year-old son Andrew died after being shot with an airgun in 2005.
In Parliament this week, Mr MacAskill said he is committed to try to ensure there are no more tragedies.
“It’s a matter that was raised with myself personally by Andrew Morton and Sharon McMillan, who tragically lost their young son, and we have given a commitment to them to try to ensure that no more tragedies occur,” he added.