In 2009 the Scottish Government educated the people of Scotland on the dangers and consequences of the irresponsible use of airguns by launching a firearms information campaign.
The campaign was supported by a wide variety of organisations including the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, the Gun Control Network, Crimestoppers, the Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Scottish Target Shooting Federation, and the British Association for Shooting and Conservation. It is encouraging that all these bodies have shared their knowledge and experience with the common purpose of making Scotland a safer place.
The campaign messages are simple:
- Firstly, airguns are not toys: in the wrong hands, they are potentially lethal weapons. If you use them irresponsibly you could cause injury to other people and end up facing a fine or even prison.
- Secondly, there can be very few, if any, reasons for a person to be out on the streets of our towns and cities with a replica gun or rifle. As well as causing alarm for other people within the community, it places the owner in danger if the police are asked to respond.
- Thirdly, we want anyone with a firearm, airgun or replica gun who has no good reason to keep it, to get rid of it safely. Such weapons should be handed to the police to get them out of communities.
The campaign involved posters, leaflets, and adverts online, in bus shelters and phone boxes, and was targeted in particular at the areas across Scotland with the greatest problem of airgun misuse. Campaign materials are available to download via the Scottish Government website.