A GUN shop owner today claimed new laws tightening the control of air weapons were penalising law-abiding people instead of criminals.

Jean South, of Jean's Military Memories, in Queen Street, Great Harwood, also revealed that the change in the law had made her throw away £5,000 worth of stock.

Since January 20, it has been illegal to sell Brocock air cartridge guns and, by May 1, existing owners must have bought a £50 firearms certificate - or they could face a mandatory five-year jail sentence.

The paperwork registers the weapon so police can log who owns them.

Mrs South believes only law-abiding people will obtain the certificate, with criminals just possessing the guns illegally, driving them even more underground. But police believe the threat of long prison sentences will discourage the use of the weapons.

Superintendent Clive Tattum, of Lancashire Police, said: "A significant number of the incidents our armed officers are called to involve air weapons.

"In the past, laws covering these types of weapons have had little or no effect in curbing the anti-social behaviour associated with their use and possession. This new legislation will change that."

But Mrs South said: "Until January, I was quite within my rights to sell them. They were used as target pistols for totally legitimate use in clubs by genuine individuals.

"We had to throw-out 30 weapons, costing £5,000. There was no compensation payable. It was a heck of a blow. The legislation is totally going about it the wrong way.

"It hasn't been though out properly. It is penalising genuine individuals because they are the only ones who will buy the certificate. Criminals won't.

"There has never been licensing on these guns so no one knows where they are. The only time criminals will be punished is when they have been caught using them illegally."