Police experts call for gun amnesty in Scotland amid rising numbers of 3D printed guns and knives

Experts have called for a gun amnesty in Scotland for the first time in three decades.

The Scottish Police Federation and the Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP) are calling for action to take guns out of circulation and make the streets safer.

They say new technologies, the dark web, the threat of terrorism and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine mean illegal weapons remain a danger to communities.

It comes after two weapons produced by 3D printers were registered by Police Scotland for the first time in the middle of last year.

Scottish Police Federation chairman David Threadgold, 49, believes an amnesty – also covering blades such as swords and knives – could make neighborhoods across the country safer.

He said: “There are people who will take a legally owned firearm and use it for criminal purposes.

“We have to strike a balance of course, and the impact on the police is that they potentially don't have to deal with this type of crime.

“The impact on police and the community could be significant.

“If everything else were in place, bearing in mind that the FPS is the voice of all police officers in Scotland, I don't think there would be a single police officer who would not object to a possible improvement for the safety of our community.”

Nearly 20,000 crimes committed with offensive weapons were recorded by police in Scotland between 2021 and 2023, data revealed.

Any nationwide amnesty would require approval from the Crown Office and Police Scotland.

David Kennedy, the group's general secretary, said if guns are not taken off the streets the way Police Scotland operates could change significantly.

He said: “If we don't take guns off the streets, the reality is we are getting closer to Scottish police officers carrying guns. »