Highland firearm licences near 40,000
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THE number of legally-held rifles and shotguns in the Highlands and Islands has risen to nearly 40,000.
The figures produced by Police Scotland for a report to the Highland Council confirms more than 10,000 people hold gun licences.
The facts were compiled by local policing commander Chief Superintendent Julian Innes.
They are being presented to councillors after they demanded to know why the public was not consulted over a policy change that allows some police officers to wear guns for routine tasks, including patrolling the night-time streets at pub closing times.
Chief Spt Innes said the data was intended to give councillors an all-rounded picture of gun ownership in the Highlands.
But MSP John Finnie said the figures were being used to justify Police Scotland’s decision to arm constables in an area that is considered the safest in Scotland.
"The two issues - public gun ownership and police carrying guns - are totally and utterly unconnected," said Mr Finnie, a former police officer.
"It’s a bit like saying the number of road accidents is dependent on the number of cars."
The armed police debate is now heading into its fifth week.
Many people were shocked when news of police wearing guns in the Highlands hit the headlines.
Historically, guns were locked in secure cabinets in the boot of the patrol cars. That restriction was lifted at the start of last year.
Mr Finnie said it was wrong to draw parallels between gun ownership and armed police.
He added: "Those police figures are quite spurious and perhaps the most alarming thing is that after having spent decades reassuring the public about gun ownership suddenly here they are, taking up the issue. Who gave all those people the authority to hold guns? The very police force that is now having to put into place measures to address any issues that may arise."
Chief Spt Innes, who is presenting his report to the community safety, public engagement and equalities committee on June 12, insisted that arming a small number of "highly-trained" police officers was "absolutely the right thing to do".
He last week confirmed 30 officers in the Highlands and Islands are routinely armed and there was never any attempt to hide that fact.
He said the Northern Joint Police Board and Highland Council’s community safety, public engagement and equalities committee, had known about the armed officer for "quite a long time".
