Draconian airgun licensing laws are a disappointment, says Alliance - Scottish Countryside Alliance

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We hope you enjoy the short film and welcome your feedback

A survey of registered foxhound packs has found that 70% have more women participants and 54% have more young people than they did ten years ago. Over 94% had members in every age category.

Countryside Alliance’s Director for Scotland Jamie Stewart said: “There are very few activities which demonstratively bring the generations and genders together and many packs meeting today will have active participants of every age with many children riding out with their parents and grandparents for the first time.”

“In addition to the most welcome age demographics, the use of social media has brought the reality of the activity to the attention of a greater number of people than ever before and offers us the opportunity to broadcast the truth about our activities as many who would see it end try to influence the public and decision makers with misleading and disingenuous information.

We hope you enjoy the short film and welcome your feedback
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Draconian airgun licensing laws are a disappointment, says Alliance

Thursday, 15 May 2014

Proposals to license all airguns in Scotland are disappointing, the Scottish Countryside Alliance (SCA) has said today, but we shall work with the Scottish Government to ensure the legislation is as workable as possible for our members.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill MSP announced new legislation today (15 May) that will affect the owners of the 500,000 air weapons he estimates are used in Scotland.

SCA director Jamie Stewart said: “The Scottish Countryside Alliance has lobbied hard on this point. We do not believe lower-powered air rifles need to be licensed as the vast majority of those who hold and use them, as part of an organised pest control exercise or who shoot recreationally, pose no threat to the wider public.

“This legislation comes against falling airgun crime and will do nothing to protect the public, while penalising responsible owners and being a bureaucratic and administrative nightmare for the police. Education and proper enforcement of the existing law is what is needed, not further legislation.

“The Association of Scottish Police Superintendents has warned that licensing would be unwieldy and expensive and 87% of respondents to the Government’s consultation rejected the proposal. However, Mr MacAskill has ploughed on against all the evidence, so we shall work with the Government to minimise the burden on the responsible airgun owner.”

The SCA is also concerned that Mr MacAskill describes the proposal as “an important first step towards devolving all powers on firearms to the Scottish Parliament”.

“Inconsistent firearms legislation across Britain would cause a real problem, not least for the large numbers of visitors who come to Scotland to shoot and boost its economy,” said Mr Stewart. “We believe firearms regulation must remain the responsibility of the UK Government.”

For more information, please contact Jamie Stewart on 01890 818554 or email [email protected]