PLANS to open a gun shop near an Edinburgh primary school have been criticised by the First Minister, who said the idea made her feel “instinctively uncomfortable”.
The First Minister said she understood the “deep disquiet” many people felt about weapons being sold near South Morningside Primary.
Edinburgh Rifles and Sporting Goods, which already operates online, intends to open on Comiston Road selling new and used firearms, ammunition and gun accessories.
Daniel Johnson, the Labour MSP for Edinburgh Southern, has described the plan as “wildly inappropriate” and raised the matter with Police Scotland.
At FMQs, he told Ms Sturgeon neither the police nor the council could intervene, and the shop would be subject to more local licensing controls if it sold fast food.
He asked her: “Does the First Minister believe that a gun shop is just another shop? Does she believe, as I do, that this apparent loophole should be closed, and that we should regulate not just who can operate firearms businesses but where such businesses operate?”
Ms Sturgeon did not know the details of the case, but said: “In general terms, I agree that that issue is not something that I feel instinctively comfortable with,
“I understand his concerns. I also agree that we should not see gun shops as just the same as all other shops, for very obvious reasons.”
She said firearms legislation was reserved, except for air weapons, but encouraged Mr Johnson to raise his concerns with the police.
“I understand the reasons for what he has described today causing deep disquiet, and I am sure that many other people will, too,” she said.
Shop owner Ed Bewsher accused Mr Johnson of a personal attack on a legitimate business.
He told the Edinburgh Evening News: “The community faces more risk from tanning salons, vape bars and newsagents selling legal highs than could ever come from a small, independent, registered firearms dealer.
“I have three children under the age of 15 and if I thought there would be any risk I wouldn’t be in this industry. Every customer I have is vetted from the police and their doctor. The security required is extremely high.
"This is a legal, legitimate business and sport with shooting ranges all across Edinburgh.”
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