legislation to prevent airguns falling into the hands of children has been welcomed by the British Association for Shooting and Conservation as common sense.

Bill Harriman, BASC’s director of fire-arms, said: “Young people who are legally allowed to use airguns are not be affected. Airgun safety is a matter of good sense and good practice and all legitimate users are aware of safety precautions including access and storage.

“The Government’s impact assessment document took a sensible and pragmatic view of the sort of security required – a lockable cupboard, or a device to lock the airgun.

“They estimated that such security would cost in the region of £10.”