Explanatory Notes

Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015

2015 asp 10

4 August 2015

Main Purposes of the Act

3.The Act introduces a system of licensing for air weapons in Scotland. The Act creates a number of new offences related to possession, use and acquisition of air weapons by persons who do not hold a licence or do not act in accordance with the licensing regime. The Act also sets out the framework through which the Police Service of Scotland may grant an air weapon licence to appropriate individuals.

4.The Act will give local authorities the power to regulate sexual entertainment venues in their areas. The Act also amends the licensing regimes in relation to alcohol licensing, taxis and private hire cars, metal dealers, as well as making systematic changes across the civic licensing regimes contained within the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (“the 1982 Act”).