A draft response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on licensing airguns has been published by the UK’s largest shooting organisation, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC).BASC is calling for people to complete and submit their own responses to the consultation. The Scottish Government has confirmed that responses from people living outside Scotland will be considered. Details of the BASC draft submission and guidance on how to submit a response can be found on the BASC website.
Bill Harriman, BASC director of firearms, said: “BASC is firmly opposed to the introduction of licensing in Scotland. The proposal by the Scottish Government to license low-powered airguns is both flawed and disproportionate. Airgun-related crime is falling in Scotland and their use is well regulated by existing laws. This ill-considered scheme will put further pressure on an already overstretched police service with little effect on the criminal misuse of airguns.”
BASC will submit a final response before the consultation deadline of March 15th 2013. Comments on the BASC draft submission can be made on the website or by email to firearms@0ld.basc.org.uk