Gun law debate continues with Home Office plans
11 Jan 08
Proposal to ban deactivated firearms announced
Plans by Home Office ministers to reform UK firearms law have reignited the argument over whether the topic should be devolved to Scotland.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith yesterday announced plans to ban deactivated guns by the end of the year. She is to consult on how genuine collectors can be allowed to continue with their hobby, while allowing black market weapons to be taken off the street.
Kenny MacAskill, Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Justice, said the move highlighted the need for a review of "the whole mish-mash of legislation". He repeated his call for the control of firearms law to be devolved to Holyrood, or at the very least, the ability to legislate on airguns.
A spokesman for the Home Office said any new laws brought in under the proposals would mainly relate to pre-1995 guns, as standards for deactivating guns were less stringent then.