Stage 1 report published on air weapons and licensing

The licensing of air weapons has come a step closer following the publication of the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government and Regeneration Committee’s stage 1 report on the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Bill.

The committee is calling on the Scottish Government to strengthen the scheme by applying a unique identifier marker to link an air weapon to a specific owner. This would assist the police in tackling criminal misuse of air weapons.

As well as air weapons, the committee also considered changes to the licensing of alcohol, taxis and private hire cars, scrap metal dealers, public entertainment, and sexual entertainment venues.

During consideration of the bill, the committee heard that evolving technology and business models such as "Dial-a-booze", "pedi-cabs" and taxi booking apps are becoming more common place. The committee recognises that such developments need an equally modern and adaptable licensing regime, and the report calls for a wider review of licensing in Scotland.

The bill also introduces a licensing regime for sexual entertainment venues. The committee recommends the proposed exemption, allowing venues to hold performances no more than four times a year without a venue licence, should be scrapped to close a loophole whereby organisers could evade regulation by moving events from venue to venue. The committee believes performers’ safety is better protected through regulating venues.

For more on the publication of the stage  report, click here