Senior Scottish police officers are considering a nationwide gun amnesty similar to one which followed the Dunblane tragedy.

The move is the latest response to a huge increase in serious gun crime in Scotland.

It emerged as the Scottish Executive welcomed proposals to introduce a mandatory five year sentence for anyone caught carrying an illegal firearm.

This is a range of measures which are designed to hit the criminals hard Hugh Henry Deputy Justice Minister

This measure - which would apply in Scotland as well as England and Wales - was announced on Monday by Home Secretary David Blunkett.

It has already won support from ministers north of the border.

Deputy Justice Minister Hugh Henry said: "Those who use guns will face a stiff sentence and those who participate in drug activity will face harsh measures.

"This is a range of measures which are designed to hit the criminals hard, to say to those who are terrorising our communities that this is not acceptable."

Serious gun crime reached record levels in 2001 in Scotland.

The number of shootings which caused death or injury increased from 50 to 149 - and almost all were a result of battles for control over drug supplies.

Police support

It is expected that the figures for 2002 will show yet another rise.

Mr Blunkett's proposals have won the support of police chiefs north of the border.

Senior officers are also considering the introduction of a nationwide gun amnesty.

This would be similar to one which followed the 1996 Dunblane massacre, in which 16 children and a teacher were killed.

Legally-held firearms

Graeme Pearson, the secretary of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS), said this amnesty had been a success, as had a similar move more recently in Edinburgh.

"I think there is a lot to be said in publicising a new amnesty in order that we can hive off those legally-held firearms and place them away from criminality," he said.

A decision on whether to hold an amnesty is expected after discussions with other UK forces.