Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill renewed his call for Westminster to join the Scottish Government in hosting a firearms summit - as official figures revealed a four per cent rise in gun crime recorded by police in England and Wales.
The most recent figures for Scotland, published in October, showed that recorded firearms offences had risen to their highest level in ten years during 2006-07 - with a 25 per cent rise in those suffering injuries from the weapons.
Mr MacAskill last week wrote to Jacqui Smith inviting her to co-host a summit in Scotland, after the Home Secretary declined his request for discussions on devolving responsibilities for firearms law in Scotland to the Scottish Parliament.
He said:
"The figures today, and the recent incident in Blantyre, are a stark reminder of the growing threat which firearms pose to many of our communities.
"My views on where legislative responsibility should lie are clear. However, with the Home Office having refused our request, my immediate focus is on ensuring that action is taken.
"As I said last week, no government can look at this evidence and say the job is done in terms of taking both legislative and non-legislative action to protect our communities.
"By bringing together a range of interests, the summit will seek take that forward.
"The time has come for a consolidated firearms Act, making the law clear to one and all, as well as addressing loopholes and clear gaps.
"And as part of that reform we need to effectively ban the sale and ownership of air weapons - as we do other firearms - except for individuals with legitimate uses for them.
"ACPOS have indicated their support for the review of firearms law that we called for in Parliament.
"Indeed, despite voting against the Government motion, many MSPs spoke in support of our aims in last week's Parliamentary debate.
"So there is much agreement on the need for action. Given that fact, I hope the Home Secretary will agree to join us in discussing the way ahead for all of our communities."
Scottish Ministers have asked officials to begin work on hosting a firearms summit, at the earliest practicable date - ensuring that the view of all of those with an interest will be represented and a clear plan for progress developed. Mr MacAskill has written to Home Secretary Jacqui Smith this week inviting the UK Government to jointly host the event.
In August and November Mr MacAskill wrote to Ms Smith proposing work begin to allow legislative responsibility over firearms to be devolved to the Scottish Parliament, following earlier discussions between the two Ministers and the First Minister and the UK Secretary of State for Justice.
Responding in December, the Home Secretary declined the request but expressed a wish to work closely with Scottish Ministers and other interests to exchange experience and best practice and ensure effective safeguards are in place and improvements made whenever possible.