Gun offences in Scotland at lowest level since 1980

● Air weapons involved in a third of incidents despite surrender drive

The number of offences involving a firearm has fallen to the lowest level recorded for almost 40 years, according to official statistics.

Details from Scotland’s chief statistician show police recorded 348 offences in which a firearm was alleged to have been involved in 201718 – a drop of 1 per cent from 2016-17 (350 offences) and 13 per cent from 2015-16 (402 offences).

The Scottish Government urged caution when comparing annual figures, with previous year’s totals thought to have been underestimated.

But even despite this, the number of offences in which a firearm was alleged to have been involved in 2017-18 was lower than any other year since the current data collection began in 1980.

The most commonly committed offences involving a firearm in 2017-18 were possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life or commit crime (18 per cent), breach of the peace (17 per cent) and common assault (14 per cent).

There were two homicides involving a firearm in 2017-18 and ten attempted murders.

Despite a nationwide surrender campaign, air weapons were the most common firearm used, recorded in more than a third of all incidents, followed by a pistol (11 per cent) and a shotgun (7 per cent). Justice secretary Humza Yousaf said: “These figures show we are continuing

0 Assistant Chief Constable Mark Williams with some guns handed in during an airgun amnesty

to make progress in tackling firearms misuse with offences now at their lowest level for any single year since 1980.

“While firearms offences are rare, we know that just one such incident can have a devastating impact on victims and the wider community, so we are determined to continue working with our partners to reduce these numbers.

“Having successfully lobbied to have the relevant powers

devolved to the Scottish Parliament, we are the only part of Great Britain to licence air weapons, ensuring that only those with a legitimate need have lawful access to them.”

He added: “Since our licensing legislation was passed in 2015-16, offences involving an air weapon have fallen by a third.”

More than 10,000 weapons, some dating back to the Second World War, were handed

to police as part of an airgun amnesty in 2016.

The Police Scotland surrender scheme followed the introduction of new legislation requiring holders to have an ownership certificate. The Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act tightened up the law surrounding airguns following several high-profile incidents.