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Tightening British gun laws?

The Scotsman reports that some Scottish officials are calling for their parliament to be given power to enact additional gun laws (beyond those applicable to Great Britain generally).

The reason? They're upset that the British Parliament is moving to restrict replica firearms but hasn't taken a tough stand on ... those dangerous airguns.

Mr McConnell had been lobbying the Home Office in an attempt to get a licensing system for air weapons, or at least a permit system for the most dangerous types.

But the government's new restrictions, unveiled by Hazel Blears, the Home Office minister, concentrate largely on imitation weapons, which have hardly been a problem in Scotland.

The decision only to raise the age of legal purchase on airguns and to tighten the law on where they can be used did not go nearly as far as the First Minister had hoped.

Mr MacAskill said: "Little is being done to address the number of airguns on Scottish streets. Raising the age for purchasing airguns from 17 to 18 is a token gesture that will not properly address this serious issue. The Scottish Parliament must take control over firearm legislation."

· non-US