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Legislation on airguns looks set to be tightened following the death of
Glasgow toddler Andrew Morton.
The first minister said he will have discussions with the Home Office
about introducing a licensing system for airguns or banning them
completely.
Jack McConnell told Holyrood that doing nothing about airguns was not an
option in Scotland.
Two-year-old Andrew's death in a shooting incident at the start of the
month prompted calls for a review.
Mr McConnell said: "We will have proper discussions with the Home Office
and ensure that any legislation that comes forward is well thought
through and enforceable.
Last Updated: Thursday, 24 March, 2005, 13:27 GMT
E-mail this to a friend Printable version
McConnell pledges airgun shake-up
Andrew Morton's death prompted moves to toughen up gun laws
Legislation on airguns looks set to be tightened following the death of
Glasgow toddler Andrew Morton.
The first minister said he will have discussions with the Home Office
about introducing a licensing system for airguns or banning them
completely.
Jack McConnell told Holyrood that doing nothing about airguns was not an
option in Scotland.
Two-year-old Andrew's death in a shooting incident at the start of the
month prompted calls for a review.
Mr McConnell said: "We will have proper discussions with the Home Office
and ensure that any legislation that comes forward is well thought
through and enforceable.
If it's correct to legislate for knives and swords, it's certainly
correct to legislate on weapons
Kenny MacAskill MSP
Scottish National Party
"I am aware of the opposition, particularly among police forces in
England, to any tightening of the law in relation to licensing or a ban
and that position has some sympathy in Scotland among the forces.
"But while legislation might sometimes be difficult to implement, that
would not make it wrong.
"If further legislation is required, and if it is in the best interest
of Scotland, we will push for that legislation."
Examination of the gun laws is taking place at the Home Office in London
because firearms legislation is a Westminster responsibility.
Scottish National Party justice spokesman Kenny MacAskill led a debate
at Holyrood calling for a specific Scottish firearms act to deal with
the issue.
He said that Scotland has "distinctive" problems with weapons such as
replica firearms.
Weapons surrendered
He has called for an act pulling together the laws on rifles, shotguns,
pistols, airguns and replica guns.
However, Mr McConnell said: "Their (the SNP's) obsession with
constitutional issues rather than the real issues that affect people in
Scotland every day knows no bounds.
"Today's debate shows them up for their lack of ideas and lack of
contribution to real policy debate."
Mr MacAskill replied: "If it's correct to legislate for knives and
swords, it's certainly correct to legislate on weapons."
There was agreement among MSPs that the controls on airguns need to be
toughened and that Westminster must act.
Mark Bonini, 27, has appeared in court accused of firing an air weapon
or similar instrument at Andrew Morton, whereby he died after being
struck on the head by a pellet.
Legislation on airguns looks set to be tightened following the death of
Glasgow toddler Andrew Morton.
The first minister said he will have discussions with the Home Office
about introducing a licensing system for airguns or banning them
completely.
Jack McConnell told Holyrood that doing nothing about airguns was not an
option in Scotland.
Two-year-old Andrew's death in a shooting incident at the start of the
month prompted calls for a review.
Mr McConnell said: "We will have proper discussions with the Home Office
and ensure that any legislation that comes forward is well thought
through and enforceable.
Last Updated: Thursday, 24 March, 2005, 13:27 GMT
E-mail this to a friend Printable version
McConnell pledges airgun shake-up
Andrew Morton's death prompted moves to toughen up gun laws
Legislation on airguns looks set to be tightened following the death of
Glasgow toddler Andrew Morton.
The first minister said he will have discussions with the Home Office
about introducing a licensing system for airguns or banning them
completely.
Jack McConnell told Holyrood that doing nothing about airguns was not an
option in Scotland.
Two-year-old Andrew's death in a shooting incident at the start of the
month prompted calls for a review.
Mr McConnell said: "We will have proper discussions with the Home Office
and ensure that any legislation that comes forward is well thought
through and enforceable.
If it's correct to legislate for knives and swords, it's certainly
correct to legislate on weapons
Kenny MacAskill MSP
Scottish National Party
"I am aware of the opposition, particularly among police forces in
England, to any tightening of the law in relation to licensing or a ban
and that position has some sympathy in Scotland among the forces.
"But while legislation might sometimes be difficult to implement, that
would not make it wrong.
"If further legislation is required, and if it is in the best interest
of Scotland, we will push for that legislation."
Examination of the gun laws is taking place at the Home Office in London
because firearms legislation is a Westminster responsibility.
Scottish National Party justice spokesman Kenny MacAskill led a debate
at Holyrood calling for a specific Scottish firearms act to deal with
the issue.
He said that Scotland has "distinctive" problems with weapons such as
replica firearms.
Weapons surrendered
He has called for an act pulling together the laws on rifles, shotguns,
pistols, airguns and replica guns.
However, Mr McConnell said: "Their (the SNP's) obsession with
constitutional issues rather than the real issues that affect people in
Scotland every day knows no bounds.
"Today's debate shows them up for their lack of ideas and lack of
contribution to real policy debate."
Mr MacAskill replied: "If it's correct to legislate for knives and
swords, it's certainly correct to legislate on weapons."
There was agreement among MSPs that the controls on airguns need to be
toughened and that Westminster must act.
Mark Bonini, 27, has appeared in court accused of firing an air weapon
or similar instrument at Andrew Morton, whereby he died after being
struck on the head by a pellet.
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