Just Air Guns has weighed in on controversial Scottish airgun debate

An organisation acting on behalf of Scottish solicitors have recently come forward to challenge push for air gun licenses, arguing that the firearms will become effectively untraceable were the law to change.

The argument comes not long after the SNP brought forward a bill that requires owners of air rifles or pistols to send off a certificate application, much like what currently happens with normal firearms.

But opponents argue that the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Bill is fatally flawed as the certificate will cover all guns rather than listing weapons on an individual basis.

The bill is designed to tackle reckless use of airguns but campaigners believe it will fail in doing so while also serving to punish responsible gun owners, citing that criminal offences involved air guns and rifles has already fallen by a staggering 75 percent in the past 6 years, dropping from 683 crimes to 171 – the lowest number ever on record.

Archie Mciver, licensing law committee convener of the Law Society of Scotland, explained:

“Under the proposals, the air weapon certificate will apply to the person, not the weapon.

“In practical terms, without a narration or description of each individual weapon the police will have no way of knowing how many air weapons are in circulation, and in the absence of serial numbers, as with shotguns, these weapons will remain untraceable.”

It’s not just legal experts who are up in arms. Airgun enthusiasts in Scotland, the UK and even further afield have criticised the plans.

Graham Ellis, chairman of the Scottish Air Rifle and Pistol Association, added:

“The law society are not saying that a solution cannot be found.

“In our feedback [we found] there is a common sense approach that could be taken but there does not seem to be an appetite to list.”

Just Air Guns are one of the UK’s best known sellers of airguns. They often comment on new releases, research and news of interest. Like others, they are also concerned that the proposed licensing system would lead to widespread, untraceable weapons.

A spokesman for Just Air Guns said:

“The key problem with this proposal is that in many ways it undermines the police as well as current efforts to promote responsible use and minimise crime. Without serial numbers and with no insights into how many guns are circulating, it will be next to impossible to trace them.

“It’s also a shame that the air rifle and pistol owners, the overwhelming majority of which are mature, law-abiding citizens, are set to be effectively punished, when in the last few years Scotland has proved that it doesn’t need this bill to drastically cut misuse.”

Just Air Guns are a reliable seller of all things airgun related. They have one of the largest selections of items on the internet and are able to deliver to large parts of the UK. Visit their website today at www.justairguns.co.uk to find out more.