"Chaotic" Scottish airguns licensing continues to confuse

Despite an overwhelming opposition to this needless legislation the Scottish Government continues to plough on with their draconian policy of licensing airguns causing confusion at every step.

The Scottish Government's recently launched campaign to raise awareness of the new Air Weapons Licensing (Scotland) Regulations 2016, alongside Police Scotland's amnesty of airguns, have led to an unprecedented rise in calls from Countryside Alliance members questioning where they stand within the new laws.

Scottish Countryside Alliance Director Jamie Stewart said: "Despite correcting numerous media sources we have received a volume of calls from concerned members and from the wider public believing themselves to be illegally in possession of airguns because of the government's confusing campaign. The campaign and the amnesty have left people believing they are illegally in possession of an airgun, however the licensing does not come in until 31 December 2016."

"The Scottish Government should have been much clearer that anyone who wants to use or own an airgun will be able to apply to Police Scotland for an air weapon certificate or permit from 1 July 2016, which will cover them when the law is introduced in January 2016."

"The Scottish Countryside Alliance has been extremely vocal against the introduction of this draconian legislation and will continue to do so; however, as soon as the legislation becomes statutory we will have to abide by it and need to make sure all our members are covered by the law correctly."

Ends...

Notes to the editors:

• Information about how to apply for an air weapon license can be found at http://airweapon.scot/.


• Scottish Countryside Alliance press release – "Calls for reasonable air weapons fees 'have fallen on deaf ears'"


• The Air Weapons Licensing (Scotland ) Regulations 2016

For more information please contact the Countryside Alliance press office on

0207 840 9220 or [email protected]