Airgun sales curb agreed in wake of toddler death

The Home Office move would end anonymous internet and mail order sales of the weapons and result in tough penalties for unregistered businesses selling firearms.

The proposals follow extensive negotiations between Jack McConnell and Charles Clarke after the First Minister claimed he would extend the powers of the Scottish Parliament to change gun laws in Scotland if the Home Office refused to take action.

This would make UK air weapon laws among the toughest in the world. Unregistered businesses or manufacturers who supply the guns could face five years in jail.

Yesterday's move followed the public outcry over the death of two-year-old Andrew, from Glasgow, in March. He was struck by an airgun pellet fired from a window in Easterhouse. Sharon McMillan, Andrew's mother, has since called for an outright ban on airguns.

Police and campaigners welcomed the plans, but the SNP, who want gun legislation to be devolved to Holyrood, accused Scottish ministers of failing to deliver on a promise for tough action.

The Home Office will implement reforms through amendments to the Violent Crime Reduction Bill, currently being considered by the Westminster parliament. The aim is to deter casual airgun trading and demand weapons are sold face-to-face so retailers can check for proof of age.

It is only a partial victory for the First Minister, as the Home Office resisted calls for existing owners to require permits, claiming it would be virtually impossible to enforce.

Home Office minister Hazel Blears said: "This Home Office proposal ... offers the prospect of significant changes being delivered quickly and consistently across the UK." She said of Andrew Morton's family: "They have spoken powerfully and government has listened."

There are currently an estimated 500,000 airguns in Scotland and seven million in Britain as a whole.

Glasgow gun trader Martin Morris described the plans as a political backlash in response to Andrew's death and said the proposals would be unworkable until ID cards were introduced.

He said: "People keep on harping back to the Andrew Morton tragedy, which is now a case which seems to have been hijacked by the SNP so they can have a go at Labour."