11.This section makes it an offence for a person to use, possess, purchase or acquire an air weapon (as defined in section 1) without holding a valid air weapon certificate or otherwise than in accordance with the Part. Subsection (2) specifies that this offence is triable summarily or on indictment, and sets out the maximum penalties for both. The offence attracts strict liability. A “person” includes non-natural (e.g. corporate bodies) as well as natural persons.
12.Subsection (3) introduces schedule 1, which sets out a number of exemptions from the requirement to hold an air weapon certificate, and certain other offences created by the Part. Commentary on schedule 1 begins at paragraph 267 of these Notes. Subsection (4) provides the Scottish Ministers with the power to add, remove or modify exemptions in schedule 1 by regulations. Such regulations are subject to the affirmative procedure in the Scottish Parliament.