Question reference: S5W-04858
- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 18 November 2016
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Current status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 30 November 2016
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to digitise (a) airgun, (b) firearm and (c) shotgun certificates to allow online completion.
Answer
The majority of firearms legislation is reserved to Westminster. This includes the Firearms Rules 1998 which make provision for applying for firearm and shotgun certificates. The Rules currently require that applications are signed in ink. The idea of online applications has recently been raised with Scottish Government officials by the Home Office, but there are no immediate plans for change.
No specific provision was made for electronic applications for air weapons certificates under Part 1 of the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015. The aim has been to provide an air weapons regime in Scotland which is broadly parallel to the process for other firearms. We will, however, keep the position under review.