Scotland to host summit on air-gun law

Published on Wednesday 16 January 2008 21:00

SCOTLAND is to host a UK-wide summit on reforming the law on firearms including air guns.

Kenny MacAskill, the justice secretary, yesterday wrote to Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, inviting her to join Alex Salmond, the First Minister, and himself, in hosting the event.

The summit is being welcomed by gun control campaigners, police organisations, and rural and shooting groups.

Attempts to allow firearms legislation, particularly concerning air guns, to be devolved to the Scottish Parliament were rejected last December.

Firearms legislation is reserved to Westminster but SNP ministers argued Scotland had a specific problem with air guns, which have caused three deaths and 1,154 injuries since records began eight years ago.

But Ms Smith claimed variation in laws between Scotland and England would be "confusing and damaging". She wanted to work with interested parties to improve the situation.

The letter to Ms Smith comes ahead of this afternoon's parliamentary debate on gun crime.

Dr Mick North, Sharon McMillan and Andy Morton, who have campaigned for tougher controls, are due to meet Mr MacAskill ahead of the debate.