AN IRVINE convenience store has pulled potentially deadly airguns, replica handguns and crossbows from its shelves after outraged locals raised concerns.

The former Day Today store in High Street had a range of imitation handguns and air rifles in its window display and even a crossbow which fires bolts at 150 feet per second - enough speed and force to potentially seriously hurt, maim or kill if shot directly at a person or animal.

The weapons were for sale in the shop’s window as recently as Monday - alongside toddler’s toys such as baby dolls, trucks and cars.

Former Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has long campaigned to have the laws on buying and owning air rifles tightened following the death of two-year-old Andrew Morton in 2005 The toddler died after being shot in the head with an air gun by Mark Bonini, 27, who was later jailed for his murder.

As the law currently stands there is no requirement to have any form of licence, and it is estimated there about 500,000 of the weapons in Scotland.

Anyone who owns an airgun will need a licence under new measures contained in the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Bill, which is yet to come into force.

Despite this, the weapons have caused shock and outrage among some Irvine locals.

Helen Holland is an Irvine Resident and a member of Irvine Community Council and spotted the weapons in the shop widow while she was waiting for a bus.

She told the Times: “I was really quite shocked to see them there, sitting in amongst the wee dolls and toys. Some of them say for over 18s use only so they are obviously potentially dangerous. I don’t know what the exact laws are when it comes to air guns and the likes, but surely it’s not right to have them sitting in the window like that?” Shahzada Abbas, manager of the High Street store denied he had a moral obligation to be more discreet and insists he is ‘doing nothing illegal’.

He said: “There is nothing wrong in what we are selling. You can buy these guns anywhere. They are just toys.” The High Street store is currently sitting under the signage of reputable chain Day Today, but United Wholesale who own the Day Today franchise, say they have severed all ties with the Irvine store.

Naeem Khaliq from United Wholesale who own the Day Today franchise, said: “We washed our hands of this store around September, October time. There was a lot of products he was buying in which were not in line with what we want our stores to sell.

"We only want our stores to be selling groceries like beans, crisps and juice. Under our name he should not be selling toys and definitely not weapons. We absolutely do not agree with selling anything potentially dangerous in any of our stores and we no longer have anything to do with this particular store.

"We have already removed the window signage from the shop and are in the process of taking down the main facia.” CI Tim Ross from Ayrshire Police said: “Tackling anti-social behaviour is a key priority for Police Scotland and for our partners. Police and Trading Standards Officers explained that the sale of these items have a negative impact on communities with regards to anti-social behaviour. The shop owner agreed to remove the items and we are pleased that this responsible shop keeper responded positively to community concerns in Irvine.

“Partnership working between residents, businesses and service providers in North Ayrshire is critical in tackling interdependent issues such as anti-social behaviour. We will continue to respond to the concerns of the community and work towards keeping people safe.” A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson for Trading Standards, said: “Trading Standards officers visited the premises and the guns on sale were found to be BB Guns and in compliance with the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006. After discussions with the owner regarding the potential for these types of products to significantly contribute to anti-social behaviour he has decided to withdraw them from sale immediately.”