Firearms legislation "a guddle"

Summit proposes pilot airgun scheme as Home Office called on to revise gun laws

News, 8 May 2008

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Police, gun control campaigners and shooting representatives met yesterday to discuss how to tackle the misuse of firearms.

Chaired by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill, the firearms summit was organised in the wake of increasing public concern about the misuse of weapons, including airguns. Participants included Deputy Chief Constable Kevin Mathieson, firearms licensing lead from the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, and other representatives of police, local government, prosecution and shooting interests.

One of the ideas to come out of yesterday’s meeting was to pilot a licensing scheme for buying airguns. Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said after the meeting that all those attending had agreed that Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, whose department handles gun law for all of the UK, should revise gun laws. The scheme would be dependent on legislation for which Westminster is responsible.

First Minister Alex Salmond described existing firearms legislation as “a guddle”. Laws had been amended and extended over 40 years and what was now needed was “an unambiguous, modern and enforceable system that protects the people of Scotland”.

He added: "It is the duty of any Government to safeguard its people. That's why we have sought the removal of Westminster reservation on firearms to allow us to legislate for Scotland. Home Office refusal will not stop us from taking a constructive approach.”

The Home Office believes that it would be confusing and potentially damaging to have different laws operating in Scotland and England.

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