New Air Weapon Legislation Fires into Action.

A new air weapons licensing regime set to tighten access to air weapons will take effect in Scotland from 1 July 2016.

Speaking about the forthcoming changes, Assistant Chief Constable Mark Williams said:

"Police Scotland fully supports the changes to air weapon legislation and in support of these developments will launch an air weapons surrender campaign later this year. This will allow people to hand in any unwanted air weapons before licensing takes effect. Our surrender scheme will run from 23 May - 12 June 2016 and we'll give you more info in coming months.”

A full statement by the Cabinet Secretary Mr Matheson can be found on Police Scotland’s page on the following link:

http://www.scotland.police.uk/whats-happening/news/2016/february/dates-announced-for-air-weapons-licensing-scheme

What information we do know at this time?

• Air gun owners will have six months to obtain certificates for their weapons before new laws come into force.
• Anybody who wants to use or own an air weapon, will be able to apply to Police Scotland for an air weapon certificate, or a permit in some circumstances, from 1 July 2016.  
• This gives users six months to get a certificate before new rules tightening access to air weapons, introduced in the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015, come into effect from 31 December 2016.
• From that date it will be offence to have an air weapon without the proper certificate or permit, unless a person is exempt from the need for a licence.
• Anyone found guilty of committing an offence under the Act could face a fine or in some cases imprisonment of up to 2 years.

Information not provided by Police Scotland as yet that many people will be concerned about?

• How much will this licence cost?
• If I currently have a firearms or shotgun certificate will this mean I don’t need this licence?
• What security measures will I need at my property where the airguns are stored?
• What is a valid reason for wanting to own an air rifle when the law comes into place?
• Will the police carry out background checks to access a person is suitable to own an airgun?
• If I live in England and want to use my airgun in Scotland what implications is there?
• If I surrender my airgun will I be compensated for it?

How will this affect airgun sales for Northern Optics?

For quite some time airgun sales have been virtually non-existent for ourselves since it was rumoured that the SNP government wanted to make changes to the airgun laws in Scotland. We continue to sell airguns and will do after the law has been changed but these will not be kept in stock and will only be ordered in as and when required. We do have a selection of firearms rated airguns in stock as the change in law will not affect these directly.