AIRGUN enthusiasts have told MSPs that tougher new rules on the weapons will not deal with criminal use.

A Bill to introduce a licensing scheme for airguns is being considered by MSPs following the 2005 death of two-year-old Andrew Morton in Glasgow.

It is hoped to reduce the half a million airguns estimated to be in circulation in Scotland and ensure only those with a legitimate reason will be allowed to own one.

However, it has been suggested that those who are deemed to be the 'wrong people' to keep airguns will not comply and will only hold them illegally.

The Scottish Air Rifle and Pistol Association said they doubted the Bill would have an impact.

Graham Ellis, chairman of the Association, said there is little or no criminal element in the use of airguns at present

He said: "We are concerned the Bill does little to address the criminal element who would misuse airguns.

"There is already a raft of legislation that we see actively used day in, day out to prosecute those who would use air weapons criminally.

"Those who currently use airguns for a sport, as a pastime or for vermin control, would fundamentally not have an issue with this, but what they would have an issue with is the proportionality of it, and the potential criminalisation of what was formerly a legitimate pastime."

Police representatives were worried about the burden of carrying out extra checks on people who apply for a licence.

Calum Steele, General Secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, said: "This is not something that can be glibly dismissed as having little impact on the police service.

"Adding the burden of having to deal with potentially up to 500,000 air weapons is something that needs to be properly understood."

Police Scotland made a written submission to the committee.

It stated: "The criminal use of air weapons can have a devastating effect on victims.

"Criminals have used air weapons to kill and injure people.

"Pets and wildlife are also targeted by those who use air weapons irresponsibly.

"It would appear that the contents of the Bill, as it relates to air weapons, is to ensure that those who should not have air weapons will not be authorised to possess them.

"Applicants will require to be deemed fit to be entrusted with an air weapon and have a good reason for the possession of an air weapon."

The legislation will not, as many people had called for following the death of little Andrew, ban airguns, but instead mean they must be licensed and only people with a egitimate reason, like pest control or shooting club membership, would qualify.

stewart.paterson@ eveningtimes.co.uk