Shotgun licence for ten-year-old

A TEN-YEAR-OLD was granted a licence for a shotgun last year, it emerged yesterday.

"Deep concern" was expressed after figures showed a number of teenagers in the Lothian and Borders Police area had been also be granted licences by the force.

Scottish Labour's justice spokesman Richard Baker said that he was "shocked and horrified" by the findings.

He called for a toughening of criteria on the granting of shotgun licences to children and young people.

The figures were obtained from Lothian and Borders P olice under the Freedom of Information Act and cover 2009.

Along with the ten-year-old there was a 13-year-old, five 14-year-olds and 11 children aged 15.

Mr Baker said: "There may be good reasons for teenagers to be granted licences but most people will be deeply concerned. I am seeking information from all of Scotland's police forces to find out if this is an anomaly or a pattern across the country."

A spokesman for justice secretary Kenny MacAskill said current firearms legislation was "confusing and difficult for the police to enforce".

Legislation on firearms, including the licensing of shotguns, is a reserved matter for the UK parliament.

The spokesman said: "Current firearms legislation is confusing and difficult for the police to enforce and the public to understand. The legislation has been amended and extended over 40 years and there is a need to start again to produce an unambiguous, modern and enforceable system that protects the people of Scotland and the rest of the UK."