The Scottish Government (SG) has a long-standing commitment to eradicating gun crime in Scotland.
Part 1 of the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015, sets out a licensing system that will better protect our communities by taking potentially lethal weapons out of the hands of those who could misuse them.
Although crimes involving guns are significantly down, air weapons were used in almost half of all offences involving a firearm in 2013-14.
To help reduce air weapon misuse in Scotland, the Scottish Government has introduced this new legislation to ensure that legitimate shooters have access to air guns.
This campaign therefore sets out to make people who own or use an air weapon aware that from 1 July 2016 you can apply for an air weapon certificate by downloading an application form from www.airweapon.scot and sending it to Police Scotland.
From 31 December 2016 it will be an offence to use, possess, purchase or acquire an air weapon in Scotland without holding the new licence.
- After this date air weapon users without a certificate or permit could face a fine or imprisonment of up to two years.
- It is estimated there are currently around half a million air weapons in Scotland.
- There were 182 air weapon offences in 2013-14, the equivalent of an offence using an air weapon every second day of the year.
- For more information visit www.airweapon.scot Air Weapons Campaign
Police Scotland will be conducting a hand-in of air weapons from Monday 23 May – Sunday 12 June.
To encourage people who possess or intend to possess or use an air weapon to visit www.airweapon.scot where they will find information on how to apply for a licence, what weapons need a licence, and where to hand weapons in if they no longer use them.
The website www.airweapon.scot offers information on the new legislation and advice on how to apply for a licence to people who use, possess, acquire and purchase air weapons.
