MSP renews calls for air rifles to be banned after Selkirk toddler is shot

Ally McGilvray • Published 22 Feb 2010 14:55 0 Comments

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Edinburgh Sick Kids Hospital

A LOCAL MSP has renewed calls for a ban on air guns after a three-year-old boy was shot in the Borders.

The toddler was rushed to hospital following an incident at an address in Leslie Place in Selkirk on Friday around 4.15pm.

He was shot in the chest with an air rifle but was said to be recovering this week.

South of Scotland MSP Christine Grahame said: "The police are treating the incident as a tragic accident and thankfully the child is going to be all right but it could have been very different.

"I would call for the control of air weapons to be devolved so that the SNP Government can work with the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS ) and other interested parties to develop workable, practical options for a pilot licensing scheme for air weapons.

"No young child such as this one should be exposed to weapons of any kind and the only way to ensure this doesn't happen again is to have proper control orders in place."

Ms Grahame added that it was clear Scotland has a distinct problem with the irresponsible use of air guns.

"While statistics show a drop in the number of incidents involving air weapons in Scotland in the last two years, misuse is still causing fear and alarm in our communities and we cannot be complacent.

"We do not propose that all airguns should be removed from Scotland. Those who have a legitimate reason to hold them, such as for pest control, or recognised sporting events, should still be allowed to do so.

"However, If airguns were devolved, we would work with shooting sports interests to develop workable, practical options for action."

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