Responding to today's report in the Evening Times that more than 200 airguns, ball bearing guns and replica firearms were seized by Strathclyde Police this year the SNP candidate in the Glasgow East by-election, Cllr John Mason, pledged to take action on the issue at Westminster.

According to the latest figures a total of 107 such weapons were found by the firearms unit and more than 100 others were confiscated by officers on routine patrols.

The SNP Government has already been campaigning on the issue and seeks to restrict the sales of airguns in Scotland. It has asked the Labour Government in Westminster to transfer responsibility for firearms to Holyrood, but this has been refused.

Commenting Mr Mason said:

"Tackling crime and violence requires a wide approach and that's why the SNP Government has delivered the funding for more police on our streets.

"More so the continuing misuse of firearms, including airguns, is also damaging lives and damaging the peace and security that everyone deserves.

"The SNP's position is unambiguous. We favour a full licensing scheme for airguns covering both the purchase and use of air weapons.

"The Scottish Government has shown a commitment to tackling this scourge with a summit on firearms.

"However firearms legislation is reserved to Westminster and as Glasgow East's MP I will take this issue forward with the Home Secretary by pressing for a review of the current laws.

"The Scottish Government is acting on crime in this community and is doing so with success. There is a long way still to go but the SNP is on your side in Glasgow East to deliver safer streets and safer communities."

Notes:

1. Today Justice secretary Kenny MacAskill urged parents to hand over replica weapons or airguns if they found their children in possession of them and warned their children were at risk of being shot in a case of mistaken identity.

2. On Sunday 13th July 2008 it was reported that UK Home Secretary Jacqui Smith had refused to bring in stricter prohibitions on the ownership of air weapons.