PLANS to ban airguns in Scotland have been backed by East Dunbartonshire Council.
Campsie and Kirkintilloch North councillor David Ritchie had urged his colleagues to support a call made in the Scottish Parliament for the weapons to only be used for legitimate occupational and sporting interests.
His motion was unanimously supp
orted by councillors at a meeting of East Dunbartonshire Council last week.
The council will now write to Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill to pledge their support.
Councillor Ritchie said: "I am delighted there was unanimous support from councillors.
"Air weapons are not toys and, in the wrong hands, can actually cause serious injury and even death to innocent members of the public.
"In fact, in the last year, there were 675 recorded offences with air weapons - an increase of nine per cent on the previous year.
"What is even more concerning is the fact that there are no controls over the purchase of these weapons and that anyone over the age of 18 can buy one without any questions being asked.
"This is totally unacceptable and basically means that air weapons are being treated like a tin of beans or a packet of crisps."
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