MORE than 2,000 air guns have been handed over to Police Scotland in the first week of their weapon amnesty campaign.

Officers say 2,301 air weapons have been given up across Scotland during the initial phase of the national ‪#‎SurrendAir‬ campaign.

And police say North Ayrshire gun owners have been amongst the most conscientious at handing weapons over.

Police launched the campaign last week in a bid to urge air rifle owners to surrender their weapons before new legislation comes into force.

Monday, May 23 marked the beginning of a national amnesty where owners can hand weapons into Irvine Police Office if they do not want to apply for a new licence.

New rules will make it illegal for anyone to possess an air weapon without a licence under the Air Weapon and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015, which comes into force from December 31.

Prior to this date, anyone holding an air weapon has six months to either obtain a certificate or surrender their weapon to the police.

The summer amnesty will run until Sunday, June 12 with those wanting to apply for a licence able to do so from July 1.

Chief Superintendent Gillian MacDonald, Divisional Commander for Ayrshire Division said: “Police Scotland fully supports the new legislation and the new licensing arrangements which are being introduced.

“As part of our commitment to keeping people safe in Ayrshire, we are encouraging anyone who owns an air weapon that they don’t intend to license, to take advantage of the three week surrender period from May 23.

“They can get rid of any unwanted weapons by bringing them to one of three designated police offices in Ayrshire.

“We have specially trained staff at Irvine, Kilmarnock and Ayr Police Offices, where you can get assistance to safely surrender any air weapons you wish to dispose of."

Chief Superintendent MacDonald added: “Reducing the numbers of unwanted air weapons will help to make Ayrshire safer and it is important to remember that keeping an air weapon without a licence will soon be a criminal offence.”

Anyone wishing to hand over a weapon can do so at Irvine Police Office in Kilwinning Road.

All of the weapons handed in will then be destroyed.

For information and advice on how to transport weapons safely and for police office opening hours for the air gun amnesty, please visit www.scotland.police.uk/airweaponsurrender.