Owners of guns without the necessary paperwork will face jail

New restrictions which take effect from 30 April will mean self-contained gas cartridge (SCGC) guns will be classed as prohibited weapons.

Owners must either apply for a firearms certificate to adhere to the new law or hand the guns over to police.

The measure has been announced by Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson.

The curb will ban owners from selling the guns or giving them away, and possessing an SCGC gun without a certificate could result in a mandatory five-year jail term.

The UK-wide restrictions are additional to new legislation which came into effect in January for all types of airgun.

'Improve safety'

This raised the minimum age for possessing an air weapon from 14 to 17 and created an offence of possessing an air weapon or imitation gun in public places without good reason.

But gas cartridge guns have given authorities particular concern as they look like real guns.

Ms Jamieson said: "Airguns are not harmless weapons - particularly SCGCs which can be converted by criminals to fire live ammunition."

She said there were 118 reported cases of damage to property involving airguns in 2002, with 143 reported injuries and one death.

And the minister added: "They are also playing a part in general anti-social behaviour and being used to intimidate members of the public - young and old - adding to the fear of crime in our communities.