LICENSING AND control of the more than half a million air weapons in circulation throughout Scotland would be “virtually impossible,” a top Tayside police officer said last night.

Deputy Chief Constable Kevin Mathieson was speaking at the conclusion of the high-profile summit on firearms.

“Clearly there was a political agenda and a public agenda on the issue of air weapons,” said Mr Mathieson, who was speaking for all Scotland’s senior officers at the summit.

“The view that I took to the summit on behalf of the Association of Chief Police Officers Scotland was that air weapons should not be looked at in isolation but as part of a review of all firearms legislation.”

Mr Mathieson backed the view that only a total revision of the existing legislation would identify whether specifics in relation to air weapons should be considered.

“There was discussion around whether there ought to be a ban on air weapons and also on the number in circulation,” continued Mr Mathieson.

“There are estimates that in Scotland there are between 500,000 and 750,000 air weapons in circulation…and to move to licensing all of those would be virtually impossible.”

Police are pushing for politicians to revisit the outcomes of public consultation which was carried out by the Home Office in 2004 but not acted upon.

Describing yesterday’s meeting as, “really useful,” Mr Mathieson added, “The safety of the public is the imperative, but we recognise as well that there are legitimate reasons for people to have possession of firearms.”