Airgun licensing campaign opens ahead of new regime

A campaign has opened to raise awareness of the new air weapons licensing regime as it comes into force between now and the end of the year.

People who own or use an air weapon will need to have a certificate under new rules introduced in the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015, which comes into force from 31 December 2016.

Applications for the new certificates can be made from 1 July, but people who have air weapons they no longer want will be able to hand them in at one of 72 police stations across the country from next Monday, 23 May, until Sunday 12 June.

After 31 December anyone found with an unlicensed air weapon or committing another offence under the Act could face a fine or, in some cases, imprisonment of up to two years.

The new Scottish Government campaign is being run jointly with animal charity Scottish SPCA. Air weapons were used in almost half of all offences involving a firearm in 2013-14, and wild animals and cats are the most common victims of air weapon crimes. Scottish SPCA receives over 100 reports of animals being targeted each year, with many of these attacks taking place in residential areas.

Air weapons are also associated with vandalism, common assaults, reckless conduct and serious assaults. It is likely that many offences go unreported.

Scottish SPCA Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn commented: “We welcome the Scottish Government’s licensing scheme, which will help ensure air weapons are only used responsibly and lawfully. This is a major step forward for animal welfare in Scotland and it sends out a strong message that mindless acts of violence using air weapons will not be tolerated."