Call for Scots control over gun laws

THERE were calls last night for the Scottish Executive to be given control of gun laws after the Home Office rejected the First Minister Jack McConnell's appeals for a major crackdown on air weapons.

Kenny MacAskill, the SNP's justice spokesman, described the government's action on airguns as a "token gesture" and demanded changes in the devolution settlement so that firearms law can be decided by the Scottish Parliament.

Mr McConnell had been lobbying the Home Office in an attempt to get a licensing system for air weapons, or at least a permit system for the most dangerous types.

But the government's new restrictions, unveiled by Hazel Blears, the Home Office minister, concentrate largely on imitation weapons, which have hardly been a problem in Scotland.

The decision only to raise the age of legal purchase on airguns and to tighten the law on where they can be used did not go nearly as far as the First Minister had hoped.

Mr MacAskill said: "Little is being done to address the number of airguns on Scottish streets. Raising the age for purchasing airguns from 17 to 18 is a token gesture that will not properly address this serious issue. The Scottish Parliament must take control over firearm legislation."

He said a Scottish Firearms Act was needed to create clear laws on who can sell, own and use real guns, replicas and air weapons.

Cathy Jamieson, the justice minister, said she welcomed the Home Office proposals, but she will be well aware that the new restrictions do not go as far as she, or the First Minister, had wanted.

Ms Jamieson said she would continue to liaise with the Home Office "to see if there are any other ways we can further tighten the law in this area to increase protection for the public and reduce the fear of crime".

An Executive spokeswoman conceded that there were no plans for any further announcements on gun laws.