It will be illegal to hold an airgun without a licence from 31 December, but BASC says that the “lead in” period is shorter than anticipated and could place an extra burden on the police.

Apply for a certificate from 1 July

The Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Michael Matheson, last month set out new dates for airgun licensing in the Scottish Parliament. Owners will be able to apply for a certificate from 1 July, giving them just six months to comply with the new legislation. The licences were originally expected to be introduced in April and are intended to combat airgun crime.

BASC says that it will help with the transition, but believes that six months may not be long enough. The organisation’s director for Scotland, Colin Shedden, said: “BASC opposed the introduction of airgun licensing in Scotland. Offences involving airguns had been declining significantly over the past seven or eight years and licensing was seen by many as disproportionate.

“But with the legislation now in place, and licences to be made available from July, we will do all that we can to help the many legitimate airgun users in Scotland adapt to the new licensing regime.”

Scottish airgun licences a challenge to Police Scotland staff

He continued: “The six months ‘lead in’ period (before a certificate becomes a legal requirement) is shorter than we had anticipated and may present a challenge to Police Scotland staff, who will administer the new regime.”