From 31 December 2016, it will be an offence to use, possess, purchase or acquire an air weapon in Scotland, without holding an air weapon certificate, though if you are an existing firearm or shotgun certificate holder after this date, you will still be able to use and possess air weapons, until your firearm or shotgun certificate expires.
The deadline for air weapon applications being processed before the new laws are introduced on 31 December 2016, have now passed, and in line with legislation for the application process, (Section 4 of the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015 (Commencement No. 3 and Transitional Provisions) Order 2016, it is anticipated that all applications for an air weapon certificate, which were received by Police Scotland after 31 October 2016, will not be processed or granted until 2017, which is after the new legislation takes effect.
Please be advised that any person who has applied for an air weapon certificate after 31 October 2016, which has not been granted by 31 December 2016, will be committing an offence unless one of the following measures are taken, while awaiting the new certificate and authorisation being granted.
- Store your air weapon with someone who has an Air Weapon Certificate.
- Store your air weapon with someone who has a current Firearm or Shotgun Certificate.
- Store your air weapon with a Registered Firearms Dealer.
If your air weapon application was submitted after 31 October 2016, you are advised to make one of these alternative arrangements at your earliest opportunity and before 31 December 2016.
Should you not wish to keep your air weapon you can continue to hand it in to the police for surrender and destruction.
Should you have any query in respect of this matter, please do not hesitate to contact the Air Weapons Licensing Team on 01786 896130 or e-mail at: AirWeaponandLicensingProject@scotland.pnn.police.uk