First minister says current gun laws are ‘convoluted’

Salmond pledges to tackle issue

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FIRST Minister Alex Salmond has insisted the SNP government wants new ways of tackling the problem of guns, claiming existing legislation is convoluted.

He said the UK Government’s refusal to hand over powers on firearms legislation would not prevent ministers from taking a “constructive” approach.

His assertion was welcomed by opposition MSPs, who said a review of existing legislation was needed. Lib Dem justice spokeswoman Margaret Smith said: “There are around 23 pieces of legislation that make up the rules governing firearms. It’s a piecemeal approach, as new laws are often created in the wake of tragic incidents.”

Mr Salmond, who attended a firearms summit in Edinburgh yesterday, said the SNP government “cannot be complacent” on the issue as communities demand action. The meeting was chaired by Justice Minister Kenny Mac-Askill and attended by police, shooting representatives and gun control campaigners. These included Mick North, whose daughter Sophie was among 16 children killed in the Dunblane tragedy.

The event at Bute House was organised amid growing concern over firearms and air weapons in particular, which are considered to be a real problem in Aberdeen.

Labour councillor Norman Collie wants the city to be the first in Scotland to introduce a by-law to stop them falling into the wrong hands. He did not attend the summit, and neither did Home Secretary Jacqui Smith. She argued there was no need because firearms laws were constantly reviewed by Westminster.

But Mr Salmond said action is required as recorded firearms casualties in Scotland rose by a quarter last year, one in three of them children and 58% involving airguns.