Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has welcomed a drop in firearms offences recorded in Scotland.
The figures for 2008-09 published by Scotland's Chief Statistician show a reduction of 17%. They also reveal that there has been as a 23% drop in offences using airguns, which account for almost half of all firearms offences.
Mr MacAskill said: "It is encouraging to see a further decrease in the number of firearms offences, and the number of injuries and deaths caused by their use is at the lowest in 30 years. However it is concerning that anyone might think it appropriate to carry or brandish a gun, whether real or replica, and I know that our police forces and courts take such offences very seriously.
"We worked closely with the police and other stakeholders early in 2008 to discuss how best to tackle air weapon use and these figures show the early fruits of that work.
"However they also show that, despite a significant fall in number, there is still more than one airweapon offence recorded each day.
The Justice Secretary said that the figures show that airguns still remain a real problem in the country, and said that if the UK government was not prepared to act, it should accept the recommendation of the Calman Commission and transfer responsibility to the Scottish Parliament.
He said: "At our firearms summit last year there was clear agreement that the current legislation is not fit for purpose. It needs to be comprehensively reviewed - not left in the current confusing muddle.
"We either need action at a UK level, or the UK Government need to agree to devolve firearms legislation wholesale, to ensure that the law is able to better protect Scottish communities."
The Scottish Government have launched campaigns to highlight the dangers of airguns, and the Justice Secretary says the Government is determined to work with the police and other bodies to continue to bring down levels of recorded crime and firearms offences.
Last updated: 27 October 2009, 10:04
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