Executive in Home Office challenge on firearms
27 Aug 07
Scottish ministers want to be able to ban airguns, but UK Government plays down prospects
The Home Office has moved to dampen hopes raised by Scottish ministers that they might soon be able to promote their own legislation on firearms.
Currently a reserved power, the SNP Executive wants control over firearms in order to push through a ban on airguns in Scotland.
Yesterday a spokesman for First Minister Alex Salmond said his ministers had had a sympathetic response from London and a "constructive dialogue" had taken place. However Whitehall sources accused the Executive of "getting ahead of itself" on the issue and it was premature to suggest that separate legislation might be permitted.
The Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006, which among other provisions restricts the sale of airguns to registered premises, only comes into force on 1 October this year. It is believed that the UK Government wants to assess its impact before considering further measures.