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MSPs to get power to ban airguns | MSPs to get power to ban airguns |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Powers allowing airguns to be banned in Scotland are expected to be handed from Westminster to Holyrood. | |
It was one of the recommendations of the Calman review of devolution. | |
Labour welcomed the move, but the Scottish government said the powers could have been transferred to the Scottish Parliament at any time. | |
The SNP has long argued for airgun powers, saying Scotland has a distinct problem with air weapons which needs to be tackled urgently. | |
The calls have also been backed by the parents of two-year-old Andrew Morton, who died in 2005 after he was hit in the head by an airgun shot in Easterhouse, Glasgow. | |
I'll believe it when I see it Alex NeilScottish government minister | |
Sharon McMillan and Andy Morton have continued to campaign for a change in the law since the incident. | |
The plans emerged as Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy prepared to give his response to the final report of the Calman Commission, which recommended a number of powers which should be devolved to Scotland. | |
Reacting to the airgun move, Scottish government minister Alex Neil told BBC Scotland's Politics Show: "I'll believe it when I see it, because what Jim Murphy has made clear is that none of these powers are going to be transferred this side of the election. | |
"Why there is a delay, I do not understand - this is one of the urgent issues the Scottish Parliament and all parties want to deal with," said the housing minister. | |
Labour MSP Jackie Baillie said the SNP had shunned the Calman process, telling the programme: "This is very good news indeed, because it is something that the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish government has been calling for. | |
Andrew Morton died after being hit by an airgun pellet | |
"That's the whole purpose of Calman - to review the devolution settlement and see where it's appropriate to transfer powers further." | |
In March 2008, the UK government rejected a call from SNP ministers for a review of gun laws. | In March 2008, the UK government rejected a call from SNP ministers for a review of gun laws. |
It also declined an invitation to co-host a firearms summit with the Scottish government, saying at the time that gun law had already been tightened and had brought results. | It also declined an invitation to co-host a firearms summit with the Scottish government, saying at the time that gun law had already been tightened and had brought results. |
A Scotland Office spokesman said: "The UK Government will set out its response to Calman very shortly. | A Scotland Office spokesman said: "The UK Government will set out its response to Calman very shortly. |
"Air weapons will be dealt with as part of that." | "Air weapons will be dealt with as part of that." |