Scotland Bill - latest update

6 February 2012

Clause 11 in the Scotland Bill would give the Scottish Parliament the power to create its own legislation on low-powered airguns (below 12 ft lbs muzzle energy for rifles and 6 ft lbs for air pistols).  Given that low-powered airguns are 10 times less powerful than a .22 miniature rifle similar to those used at fairground shooting galleries, proposals to further regulate airguns in Scotland are disproportionate, have no benefit, and are a knee-jerk response to tabloid pressure.  Moreover, airgun crime in Scotland fell by 45% last year.

BASC opposes Clause 11 and is lobbying against it.

What happened on 2nd February?

On 2nd February amendments to Clause 11 were debated in the House of Lords. Amendments ranged from the devolution of all firearms law to preventing the Scottish Government from passing any airgun legislation without proper consultation.  No amendments were moved and clause 11 remains unchanged.

Click here to read the House of Lords debate on airguns

What happens next?

Clause 11 remains unchanged. The Scotland Bill has two more days of debate before the Committee of the Whole House of Lords and then it will move to report stage and third reading. In the Lords it is possible to move amendments at third reading, but the principle purpose of doing so is to clarify remaining uncertainties or improve the drafting of the Bill. It is not permissible to raise an issue that has been fully debated and decided upon at a previous stage.

FIND OUT MORE

Click here to follow the progress of the Scotland Bill

Airgun crime falls by 45% in Scotland

BASC remains opposed to airgun devolution to Scotland

BASC statement on airguns

Go to Key Issues