Cathy Jamieson said legislation on airguns would be reviewed

Cathy Jamieson said she would have talks with the Home Office after the death of Andrew Morton on Friday.

She said that while some responsible people use airguns for sport, others must realise the risks of using them.

The chairman of the Scottish Police Federation, Norrie Flowers, is calling for a total ban on airguns.

Andrew died in hospital on Friday, two days after he was struck in the head with an airgun pellet as he walked to a chip shop with his brother in Easterhouse, Glasgow.

Ms Jamieson appealed to parents across Scotland to ensure they knew what their children were doing and that these weapons were dangerous and "not just a bit of fun".

'Clear message'

She said: "I've made contact with my Westminster colleagues because the legislation for this is for the Westminster parliament.

"We need to have a discussion with the Home Office to see if any lessons need to be learned from this particular incident.

"I'm aware that there have been other incidents and other causes for concern.

The Scottish Police Federation has called for a total ban on airguns

"Legislation was introduced last year which tightened up how these weapons were held by people."

The minister added: "The age for owning (an airgun) was raised from 14 to 17 and we did outlaw particular types of gas cartridge airguns.

"We also introduced a new offence of having a weapon in a public place where that should not have been happening and we had hoped that that legislation would have sent a very clear message."

The justice minister acknowledged that some responsible people wished to use airguns for sport, but she stressed the need to ensure the weapons did not fall into the wrong hands.

A gun is designed for one thing and one thing only and that is either to cause damage or to kill Norrie Flowers, SPF

"People have to take responsibility. There are some who think air weapons are not harmful, that it's okay to have them and it might be a bit of a laugh.

"I would say to parents across Scotland 'please, watch what your kids are doing'. Don't let these things get into the wrong hands and look at the consequences when things do go wrong'."

Mr Flowers, a experienced firearms officer, said airguns were offensive weapons and should be banned in Scotland.

'No leniency'

"A gun is designed for one thing and one thing only and that is either to cause damage or to kill," he said.

"Anyone who is found with that sort of weapon in a public place should have no leniency under the law whatsoever. They should be banned."

Mr Flowers said he had witnessed the horror of gun attacks during his 12 years as a firearms officer.

He said: "It's quite disturbing to see the aftermath of what takes place when a firearm has been shot and, unfortunately, hits an individual.