There were calls last night for the Scottish Executive to be given control of gun laws after the Home Office rejected the First Minister Jack McConnell's appeals for a major crackdown on air weapons.

Kenny MacAskill, the SNP's justice spokesman, described the government's action on airguns as a "token gesture" and demanded changes in the devolution settlement so that firearms law can be decided by the Scottish Parliament.
Mr McConnell had been lobbying the Home Office in an attempt to get a licensing system for air weapons, or at least a permit system for the most dangerous types.