By David Clegg

TAYSIDE POLICE have appealed to owners of air rifles to reconsider if they really need to own the “extremely dangerous” weapons.

Speaking after the latest in a recent spate of court cases concerning the firing of such weapons, a spokes-person for the force outlined just how dangerous they can be in the wrong hands.

The case of Michael Ley yesterday is the third time in a week Dundee Sheriff Court has dealt with similar incidents involving the use of air weapons.

On Monday Derek Duncan (19) was found guilty of firing pellets into gardens in Fintry Road on May 5 to the danger of the public, in particular neighbour Sheila Petrie. He is due for sentence on July 7.

On June 4 Michael Brankine (22) and Simon Anderson (20), who fired an air rifle from a house in Park Avenue hitting a 14-year-old boy in the head on January 12, were given 240 hours community service.

Although nobody was seriously injured in any of those cases there is concern that a tragedy like the death of two-year-old Andrew Morton, killed after being struck on the head by an airgun pellet in Glasgow, could be repeated.

The police spokesman said, “Air weapons in the wrong hands are extremely dangerous. Firing air weapons in public is not only illegal, it has the real potential to cause injury, serious injury and even tragic consequences, such as the case of Andrew Morton in Easterhouse.

“We recognise the majority of air weapon owners are responsible, but in the wrong hands such weapons have the potential to do great harm, even provoke an armed response by specialist firearms police to protect the public.

“We would encourage all air weapon owners and indeed their families to seriously consider whether or not they actually require that weapon.

“A lost or stolen airgun can fall into irresponsible hands and in the wrong hands is a risk to the public.

“If anyone has an air weapon at home they neither use nor require we would ask them to hand it in to their local police office.”

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill is also pushing for tougher UK-wide legislation on the use of the guns.