Smith rejects firearms review call

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She has also declined an invitation to co-host a national firearms summit along with Scottish justice secretary Kenny MacAskill. He accused Mrs Smith of "complacency" on the issue, but pledged to press ahead with plans for a summit.

"I'm disappointed our invitation has been rejected and concerned that the Home Secretary says a review isn't needed now," Mr MacAskill said.

"The most recent figures revealed that firearms casualties in Scotland rose by 25% in a year - one in three of them children.

"Communities across Scotland, indeed across the UK, will be alarmed by the apparent complacency. The response is worrying for those of us who sought a partnership approach."

Firearms control is reserved to Westminster, but a series of high-profile shootings have given the issue growing prominence in Scotland.

The death of two-year-old Andrew Morton in Easterhouse in Glasgow three years ago met with widespread public shock after he was hit in the head by an airgun pellet. Mark Bonini, 27, was jailed for his murder and the youngster's mother, Sharon McMillan, 36, has campaigned for a change in the law.

And two years ago in East Calder 32-year-old Graeme Baxter was killed when an air pellet pierced his heart.

Mr MacAskill wrote to the Home Secretary in January inviting her to join the Scottish Government in gathering police, gun control campaigners and shooting interests for a summit on firearms misuse.

Replying last week, she said she did "not believe it would be timely to hold a joint national firearms summit" and dismissed calls for an immediate review of the 1968 Firearms Act.