Unwanted air weapons

LOCAL people who no longer want to keep their air weapon will be able to hand them in to Lerwick police station between 23 May and 12 June.

 As of 1 January 2017 anyone who owns or uses an air weapon will need to have a certificate under new rules introduced by the Scottish government to improve public safety.

Air weapon owners will be able to apply to Police Scotland for a certificate from 1 July 2016 using this link www.airweapon.scot 

More than 180 offences involving air weapons have been recorded during 2013/14, including some dealt with by Lerwick Sheriff Court.

The new law has been welcomed by the Scottish SPCA who said that wild animals and cats were the most common victims of air weapon crimes.

The animal charity’s chief superintendent Mike Flynn said: “We welcome the Scottish Government’s licensing scheme, which will help ensure air weapons are only used responsibly and lawfully.

“This is a major step forward for animal welfare in Scotland and it sends out a strong message that mindless acts of violence using air weapons will not be tolerated.”