The amnesty will run for four weeks

The amnesty will run from 31 March to 30 April.

The public will be urged to hand over illegally held firearms without fear of prosecution in order to help remove the weapons from circulation.

The amnesty will coincide with a similar initiative taking place between the same dates in England and Wales.

These types of weapons are a source of considerable concern in our communities Jim Wallace Justice Minister

First Minister Jack McConnell said: "The last gun amnesty, which followed the Dunblane tragedy in 1996, saw 23,000 firearms surrendered in the UK.

"That was 23,000 lethal weapons removed from circulation and the possibility that they could ever cause serious harm.

"I hope that the amnesty which begins later this month will help rid our streets of more illegally held guns and help improve public safety in Scotland."

Justice Minister Jim Wallace added: "I hope the removal of the threat of prosecution will encourage people to come forward and hand over illegal, unregistered or unwanted firearms in their possession.

Replica guns

"The police will also be encouraging people to hand in the replica guns and air guns that are used in many firearms crimes in Scotland.

"These types of weapons are a source of considerable concern in our communities and it is in everyone's interest that there is less of them in circulation."

The Lord Advocate, Colin Boyd QC, said: "During the amnesty people who hand in illegal guns will not be prosecuted for unlawful possession under the Firearms Act 1968.

Immunity for possession

"I have issued an instruction to Procurators Fiscal not to take proceedings for illegal possession of firearms and shotguns.

"The immunity will not cover other offences involving the use of firearms"

The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (Acpos) has also backed the initiative.

Fife Constabulary's Deputy Chief Constable David Mellor said: "Whilst firearms problems are less serious in Scotland than elsewhere in the UK, Acpos welcomes the opportunity to contribute to making the forthcoming amnesty a success by removing firearms from circulation and making Scotland safer."