by Paul Behan

MORE than 150 air guns were surrendered to Police officers in West Dunbartonshire during a national amnesty, a report has said.

The guns were handed in to two designated police offices within the West Dunbartonshire area between May 23 and June 2.

The revelation comes in a police report went before members of the Community Planning West Dunbartonshire Management Board, which met last week.

The report states: "The Air Weapon and Licensing (Scotland) Act makes it an offence for any person to use, possess, purchase or acquire an air weapon without a license.

"Ahead of the application process opening on 1st July, a national surrender campaign was undertaken (23rd May – 12th June) to allow anyone to dispose of unwanted air weapons in a safe and efficient manner

"In the initial three weeks of this campaign around 151 air weapons were surrendered at the two designated police offices within West Dunbartonshire."

Air gun owners in Dumbarton and the Vale have less than 50 days left to apply for a licence before new legislation takes effect.

All applications must be submitted by October 31 or else owners risk losing their weapons and could face up to two years in prison as the new measures kick in on December 31.

According to the new Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015, it will be a criminal offence to be in possession of the weapon without a licence or permit.

A spate of incidents in the country had led to great discussion on the legality of air gun possession with latest statistics showing half a million of them contributed to 182 offences – the equivalent of one every two days.

The government says that the new measures will improve public safety by reducing gun crime.

The Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Michael Matheson, said: "The new law is a means of ensuring people can use air weapons in a regulated way without compromising public safety, so if you know anybody who owns or possesses an air weapon, remind them to apply for a licence."