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New firearm restrictions in force New firearm restrictions in force
(about 2 hours later)
Retailers across the UK who sell air guns must now be a registered firearms dealer, under new changes in the law. Retailers across the UK who sell airguns must now be registered firearms dealers, under a change in the law.
Dealers must conduct face-to-face sales and record buyer names and addresses and details of the weapon sold. Dealers must conduct face-to-face sales and record buyers' names and addresses, plus details of the weapons sold.
The Scottish Government said communities had been "crying out for action" to take weapons off streets.The Scottish Government said communities had been "crying out for action" to take weapons off streets.
But the SNP administration, which supports a licensing scheme, maintained its call for powers over firearms to be devolved to the Scottish Parliament. The SNP administration, which supports a licensing scheme, has maintained its call for powers over firearms to be devolved to the Scottish Parliament.
The minimum legal purchase age for air weapons has also now risen to 18.The minimum legal purchase age for air weapons has also now risen to 18.
'Scottish needs''Scottish needs'
And the purchase age for crossbows has gone up from 17 to 18, under legislation earlier passed at Holyrood. The purchase age for crossbows has gone up from 17 to 18, under legislation passed earlier at Holyrood.
Welcoming the new curbs, Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: "In Scotland we know only too well how dangerous, indeed how lethal air weapons can be.Welcoming the new curbs, Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: "In Scotland we know only too well how dangerous, indeed how lethal air weapons can be.
"In terms of firearms, we believe the time is right to look afresh at the existing legislation, which has been amended considerably over the last 20 years."In terms of firearms, we believe the time is right to look afresh at the existing legislation, which has been amended considerably over the last 20 years.
"We have been discussing the issue with the UK Government and hope to be able to move things forward soon. We want to lay a framework for a consolidated Firearms Act designed for Scottish needs and Scottish circumstances.""We have been discussing the issue with the UK Government and hope to be able to move things forward soon. We want to lay a framework for a consolidated Firearms Act designed for Scottish needs and Scottish circumstances."
Tayside Chief Constable John Vine, who speaks on firearms issues for the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, said he believed the changes were enforceable. Tayside Chief Constable John Vine, who speaks on firearms issues for the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (Acpos), said he believed the changes were enforceable.
"We look forward to working with the Scottish Government to monitor their effectiveness and to consider what other steps could be taken to reduce the harm caused by dangerous weapons," he said."We look forward to working with the Scottish Government to monitor their effectiveness and to consider what other steps could be taken to reduce the harm caused by dangerous weapons," he said.