Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said the findings were a wake-up call for criminals, but the Tories accused ministers of spinning the facts, pointing out that the majority of people convicted of possessing weapons avoided a jail term.
The Scottish Government and opposition parties have tussled over the latest crime statistics after figures showed longer sentences for those found handling a knife.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said the findings were a wake-up call for criminals, but the Tories accused ministers of spinning the facts, pointing out that the majority of people convicted of possessing weapons avoided a jail term.