AIRGUN owners who have not licensed their weapon will be breaking the law as of today.

It is now an offence to use, possess, purchase or acquire an air weapon in Scotland without holding an air weapon certificate under the Air Weapon and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015.

The law, however, states that if you are an existing firearm or shotgun certificate holder after this date, you will still be able to use and possess air weapons.

That means you have until your firearm or shotgun certificate expires.

Police Scotland say around 18,000 air weapons have been surrendered since the summer.

The national police force kicked off a high profile campaign back in May.

A national amnesty on air weapons allowed owners to hand them into police stations across the country.

Anyone wishing to retain an air weapon after December 31 is required to apply for a licence, or face prosecution with penalties of a fine or up to two years imprisonment.

A spokesman added: “We are currently processing around 7000 applications that were applied for before October 31.

“Anyone who applied after this date or who does not have their certificate by now, must make arrangements to have their air weapon(s) stored in a safe and appropriate place as per legislation with someone who has an air weapon, firearm or shotgun certificate or with a registered firearms dealer.”

More information is available via http://www.scotland.police.uk/about-us/finance/service-fees-and-charges/firearms/air-weapon-licensing//