Police Scotland has advised us of the forthcoming changes to air weapon possession and legislation in Scotland.
The Air Weapon and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015 will bring changes to licensing legislation across the country. A significant part of the Act will be to protect the public by creating a new licensing regime for air weapons, which will be introduced on 1st July 2016. From that date, the process of application and administration by Police Scotland of the new air weapon certification will commence. However, no one will be subject to prosecution for any offence of possessing an air weapon without certification until 1st January 2017, when the enforcement phase commences.
In support of these changes, Police Scotland will co-ordinate and facilitate a national air weapon surrender campaign between Monday 23rd May and Sunday 12th June 2016. This is designed to provide the public with a safe means of disposing of unwanted weapons.
