Scottish Airgun owners given six months to licence weapons | Homestead Security | Forums

Hope someone tells McGregor about this

New legislation which will tighten access to airguns will come into force at the end of the year, the Scottish government has announced.

It will be a criminal offence to have an air weapon without a licence or permit from 31 December 2016.

Under the new legislation approved by Holyrood last June, anyone found guilty of the new offence could be fined or face up to two years in prison.

Owners will have six months to licence their weapons before the law changes.

They will be able to apply to Police Scotland for an air weapon certificate from 1 July.

However critics have raised concerns that it may prove an administrative challenge for the force.

Protect communities

It is estimated that there are about 500,000 unlicensed air weapons in Scotland.

The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) opposed the introduction of the new laws, claiming they were 'disproportionate' and that airgun offences were declining.

A spokesman said: "However, with the legislation now in place, and licences to be made available from July, we will do all that we can to help the many legitimate air weapon users in Scotland adapt to the new licensing regime.

"The six months 'lead in' period (before a certificate becomes a legal requirement) is shorter than we had anticipated and may present a challenge to Police Scotland staff, who will administer the new regime."

more http://www.bbc.com/n.....s-35668626