The first minister fears the airgun measures do not go far enough

Jack McConnell was speaking in Holyrood after admitting new legislation to curb airgun use "does not go far enough".

He said that while the measures introduced at Westminster on Wednesday closed a dangerous legal loophole, further curbs were needed.

More than 900 airguns have been handed in to police across Scotland since a campaign was launched three months ago.

The "If you don't need it, get shot of it" initiative followed the death of Glasgow toddler Andrew Morton.

The two-year-old was fatally injured by an airgun pellet in Easterhouse on 4 March.

AIRGUNS HANDED IN TO POLICE 308 - Strathclyde 170 - Lothian and Borders 127 - Tayside 103 - Fife Constabulary 60 - Central Scotland 58 - Dumfries and Galloway 50 - Grampian Police 46 - Northern Constabulary

Home Office Minister Hazel Blears unveiled new airgun legislation on Wednesday which fell short of an outright ban called for by Andrew's parents.

Speaking during First Minister's Questions in the Scottish Parliament, Mr McConnell said the legislation would help to clamp down on illegal airgun use.

He said it would plug "one of the most dangerous loopholes" in the current law, under which it was unclear whether shooting from inside private property to the outside was an offence.

Further curbs

"While it's not for me to comment on specific cases, we're all perfectly well aware of how often in too many communities that type of incident does happen," he added.

"But as we have said, we do not believe that legislation will go far enough.

"That is why we need to find a workable system that will reduce the availability and use of airguns even further and reduce the potential for similar incidents in future."

BBC Scotland understands he is considering three options:

• Use existing Holyrood powers to restrict sales

• Negotiate changes to Westminster's plans to allow the a licensing scheme to be piloted in Scotland

• Press the UK Government to transfer gun law Scotland.

The first minister conceded police forces in Scotland opposed a licensing scheme, but added "we will put in place a scheme in Scotland that can be workable".

Scottish National Party leader at Holyrood Nicola Sturgeon did not believe Scotland would be able to adopt its own measures to clamp down on airguns.

She said: "The first minister can talk as tough as he likes, but the reality is that the Home Office has already made up its mind."

Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson welcomed the response and said recent events had proved they were neither harmless weapons nor toys.

Andrew Morton's death sparked calls for a ban on airguns

The airgun appeal by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (Acpos) and the Scottish Executive has seen 922 weapons handed in to be destroyed.

Ms Jamieson said: "I will be continuing to liaise with the Home Office to see if there are any ways in which we can further tighten the law in this area, to increase protection for the public in our communities."

Deputy Chief Constable David Mellor, of Fife Constabulary, said: "The campaign to make Scotland's streets safer will continue.

"Although the number of airguns handed in to police forces is extremely encouraging, we must all remain vigilant and determined to make our country a safer place for everyone."

Proposed measures to curb the use of airguns include raising the minimum age to 18 for owning the weapons and restricting where they can be fired.