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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 to Holyrood, it has emerged. Powers allowing airguns to be banned in Scotland are expected to be handed from Westminster to Holyrood.
The move was one of the recommendations of the Calman Commission review of devolution, to which the UK government is preparing its response. It was one of the recommendations of the Calman review of devolution.
Firearms legislation is currently reserved to Westminster. Labour welcomed the move, but the Scottish government said the powers could have been transferred to the Scottish Parliament at any time.
The Scottish government has also called for the powers, arguing Scotland has a distinct problem with air weapons which needs to be tackled urgently. 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.
'Airgun campaign'
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.
But that position is set to change, when Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy delivers his response to the final report of the Calman Commission, which made a series of recommendations on powers which should be devolved to Scotland.
Andrew Morton died after being hit by an airgun pellet
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."
The campaign for the devolution of airgun powers has 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.
The youngster's parents Sharon McMillan and Andy Morton, have continued to campaign for a change in the law.