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

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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.

John wrote:
<snip>

> 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.


I really feel for the family of the child involved, was a great loss. I 
couldn't imagine losing my 2 year old but...

It is a shame they are not tightening legislation on the idiots who 
don't respect anyone.

Maybe a sensible idea would be to stop people with previous convictions 
for heroin use/shoplifting/joy riding/burberry cap wearing/general chav 
& ned behavior from owning air rifles.

/Heds