Politicians and victims of air-gun crime last night welcomed proposals that would give Holyrood the power to ban the weapons in Scotland.
Firearms legislation is now reserved to Westminster but, in his review on devolution, Sir Kenneth Calman recommended its transfer to the government north of the border.
Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy is preparing to deliver his response to the Calman report, which made a series of recommendations on which powers Scotland should have.
Air-gun crime has become more prevalent in recent years and the Scottish Government has argued for more control, saying Scotland has a distinct problem with air weapons that needs to be tackled.
A spokesman for Michael Russell, Scottish minister for culture, external affairs and the constitution, said: “These changes should be happening right now.
“Bringing responsibility for firearms legislation to Holyrood will allow us to create a firearms regime that meets Scotland’s needs, concerns and circumstances.”
Last night, a young woman who was almost blinded when she was shot in the face with an air-rifle pellet said she welcomed anything that could lead to the banning of the weapons in Scotland.
Claire Ewen, 23, of Printfield Walk, Aberdeen, was walking in the city in April when she was targeted. The pellet is still lodged in her cheek because doctors were concerned about the complexity of the operation to remove it.
She said: “Air guns in the wrong hands can be very dangerous and I think it’s right that the Scottish Government should have the power to ban them.”
Catherine McKinnon, of Califer Road, Forres, Moray, had to send her cat to live with a friend, Julie Munro, after it was targeted by someone with an air rifle.
Jack, just 14 months old, had to have its left foreleg amputated after being hit by a pellet near Ms McKinnon’s home in October.
“They should not be available,” said Ms McKinnon, 48. “If they weren’t, then they would not get into the wrong hands.”
Mrs Munro, 58, said: said: “It’s an absolute farce when you think different types of guns have checks and yet, with an air gun, anyone can walk in and buy one over the counter.”
Earlier this year, villagers reacted with anger when a woman in her 40s was shot with an air-gun pellet on a road at Ardcroy, Croy.
On October 10, Tayside Police were called to New Wynd, Montrose, following reports of a woman being injured on her face in an alleged air-gun attack.
It came less than 24 hours after a 15-year-old girl was allegedly shot in the eye with a BB gun in Baluniefield Road, Dundee.
In 2005, Andrew Morton, 2, was shot and killed by an air-gun pellet in Glasgow.
Aberdeen councillor Norman Collie, who has fought for more than three years to ban the weapons in the city, said it was only a matter time before more deaths were caused by the weapons.
He said last night: “The whole of Scotland is suffering as a result of the dangers posed by these weapons. They are not toys and people need to realise how deadly they can be.”
Mr Collie added: “The problem I have always faced in my campaign is that there has been too much complication in legislation with Westminster holding the cards.”
Labour MSP Jackie Baillie said the devolution of power would be welcomed across political parties.
“This is very good news indeed, because it is something that the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government has been calling for,” she said.
In March 2008, the UK Government rejected a call from SNP ministers for a review of gun laws.
A Scotland Office spokesman said the UK Government would be setting out its response to Calman “very shortly” and that “air weapons will be dealt with”.