Andrew Morton's death prompted calls for a total ban on airguns

But the new laws stop short of the ban called for after the death in March of Glasgow toddler Andrew Morton, who was hit in the head by an airgun pellet.

Home Office Minister Hazel Blears said measures included raising the minimum age to 18 for owning airguns and restricting where they can be fired.

Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson welcomed the proposals.

They are part of the UK Government's Violent Crime Reduction Bill, published at Westminster on Wednesday.

It also contains new laws banning the making or selling replica firearms.

As recent events have shown, airguns are neither harmless weapons nor toys Cathy Jamieson Justice Minister

The age limit for buying or firing an air weapon without supervision will be raised from 17 to 18 and it will be an offence to use other people to hide or carry guns or knives.

The Bill also proposes increasing the age limit for buying a knife from 16 to 18.

It includes powers for headteachers to carry out random searches on children they suspect of having weapons in schools.

'Indiscriminate firing'

Ms Jamieson said the proposals tighten the law on the "indiscriminate and reckless firing of airguns from private property".

"As recent events have shown, airguns are neither harmless weapons nor toys," she said.

"That is why we have been working with the Association of Chief Police Officers on a national hand-in scheme.

There is simply not enough to deal with the problem of airguns in Scotland Stewart Hosie SNP

"I believe today's provisions will help us continue to tackle airgun misuse in Scotland as well as throughout the UK."

Ms Jamieson added that she would continue to liaise with the Home Office "to see if there are any other ways we can further tighten the law in this area to increase protection for the public and reduce the fear of crime".

The Scottish National Party's home affairs spokesman at Westminster, Stewart Hosie MP said the legislation had "one big shortcoming".

"There is simply not enough to deal with the problem of airguns in Scotland. This is something the SNP group will look to remedy," he said.

�I will be proposing amendments to the Bill to devolve responsibility for controlling the sale or possession of air guns to the Scottish parliament so that MSPs can discuss this issue in detail and come up with the right solution for Scotland."