Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 25 June 2015
25 Jun 2015 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Bill
The Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Bill has drawn out areas of both consensus and contention, as today’s debate has shown. As I have commented before, legislation should be passed only when it is targeted and when it acts effectively in the public’s best interests. Where that has been the case, such as with metal dealers, it seems to me that the bill would improve matters, and we have heard how the bill has the support of most metal dealers as well as our committee.
However, it is apparent that the aim of protecting people from unnecessary or unhelpful government intervention has not been applied throughout the bill. As a result, the Scottish Conservatives do not believe that it is in the best interests of the people of Scotland.
A guiding principle throughout our consideration of the bill has been that law-abiding people should not find themselves unnecessarily caught under a legislative net just because it is easier or politically expedient for the Government to impose wide-reaching obligations. The provisions on air weapons are a case in point.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (John Scott)
Con
The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-13606, in the name of Michael Matheson, on the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Bill. 16:03
The Cabinet Secretary for Justice (Michael Matheson)
SNP
I am pleased to open the stage 3 debate on the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Bill. For the purposes of rule 9.11 of standing orders, I advise the Parl...
Alex Fergusson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con)
Con
I appreciate the cabinet secretary verifying that the principal purpose is to reduce crime involving air weapons, but can he tell me what evidential back-up ...
Michael Matheson
SNP
The member is correct to say that gun crime is at an almost record low. However, within the category of gun crime, almost half of all the offences involve ai...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
Before I call Cara Hilton, I inform members that, to allow everyone to speak in the debate, I have determined that decision time will take place at 10 past f...
Cara Hilton (Dunfermline) (Lab)
Lab
I echo the cabinet secretary’s comments and thank all who were involved in devoting time and energy to supporting us in our scrutiny of the Air Weapons and L...
Michael Matheson
SNP
Does Cara Hilton understand the point that I made about her amendment and the Government’s amendment in relation to under-18s having access to sexual enterta...
Cara Hilton
Lab
That is one interpretation, but I am not convinced by those arguments. I lodged the same amendment at stage 2 and I did not hear those arguments then; this i...
Kevin Stewart (Aberdeen Central) (SNP)
SNP
Oh.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
Order.
Cara Hilton
Lab
I have lost my place now. I am pleased that the Scottish Government introduced positive amendments that will improve notification procedures and require lo...
Alex Fergusson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con)
Con
In opening the debate for the Scottish Conservatives, I am sorry to say that I find myself every bit as perplexed about the bill now as I was at stage 1. The...
Kevin Stewart (Aberdeen Central) (SNP)
SNP
In April, we debated and agreed the general principles of the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Bill, and today we debate the bill in the form in which we...
Elaine Murray (Dumfriesshire) (Lab)
Lab
The intention of people who support the bill has never been to ban air weapons; it has been to regulate them. Air weapons can and, sadly, do kill. It is wron...
Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD)
LD
I join others in thanking Kevin Stewart’s committee and committee witnesses for their work on what is, by common consent, a wide-ranging and complex bill. Ca...
Sandra White (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP)
SNP
The bill is an important one that deals with metal theft, air weapon licensing, alcohol licensing and, of course, sexual entertainment venues. I will limit m...
Malcolm Chisholm (Edinburgh Northern and Leith) (Lab)
Lab
I welcome many of the changes that the bill will bring about, although I think that there will, in due course, need to be a more fundamental revision of the ...
Kevin Stewart
SNP
Will Malcolm Chisholm give way?
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
The member is in his last minute.
Malcolm Chisholm
Lab
If Cara Hilton’s amendment had dealt with a new issue, we would not be able to complain. However, it dealt with an issue on which she had lodged an amendment...
John Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP)
Ind
I want to take this opportunity to welcome the discussion and debate on what are clearly important issues for Scotland. The health and security of everyone i...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
We will now have closing speeches. 16:51
Cameron Buchanan (Lothian) (Con)
Con
The Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Bill has drawn out areas of both consensus and contention, as today’s debate has shown. As I have commented before, ...
Kevin Stewart
SNP
Will the member give way?
Cameron Buchanan
Con
Certainly.
Kevin Stewart
SNP
I thank Mr Buchanan for giving way. We recognise that there is a small minority of abusers of air weapons. However, the use of those weapons by abusers has l...
Cameron Buchanan
Con
What evidence do we have that a licensing regime will prevent deaths? I cannot see it. I do not think it will make any difference; I think that those people ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
Mr Buchanan, carry on.
Cameron Buchanan
Con
The misuse of air weapons is confined to a tiny minority of users, as recently published statistics on recorded crimes in Scotland involving firearms for 201...
Colin Keir (Edinburgh Western) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member give way?