Airguns will require a licence from the end of 2016 as new government legislation cracks down on weapon ownership.

Unlicensed weapons will be outlawed, and police have urged those who have unwanted guns to hand them in to police stations from Monday.

But why are the weapons so controversial? To assess the reasoning behind the law, STV News looks at the history which has led to the strict regulations being put in place.

The two-year-old was shot in the head with an air rifle in 2005, he died two days later in hospital.

Mark Bonini, then 27, was convicted of murdering Andrew in August that year. He fired a pellet at the toddler from an open window in Glasgow's Easterhouse area.

He was described to police as "out of his face" on drugs. Supplies of cannabis and amphetamines were found at his home in Glasgow.

Andrew's death prompted a huge debate around gun use and ownership in Scotland and kickstarted the talks around tightening laws.

As plans were put in place to regulate the weapons, concerns were raised by gun enthusiasts and police chiefs.

Then justice secretary Kenny MacAskill came under fire for forcing through the licensing scheme despite 87% being against the move in a public consultation.

Pro-gun campaigners said responsible owners will be penalised by the rules, which were aimed at criminals.

The new law was also criticised by senior police officers warned licensing would be too expensive and unwieldy.

Pets and wild animals were injured or killed in airgun attacks almost 200 times in 2014.

Scottish SPCA chief Michael Flynn revealed the number of incidents in evidence to MSPs ahead of the licensing law being brought in.

Jennifer Dunn, from the League Against Cruel Sports, said the true figure may actually be higher as many attacks go unreported.

In June 2015, the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Bill was passed by the Scottish Parliament.

The new rules, which come into force on December 31, 2016, make it illegal for anyone to possess an air weapon without a licence.

Andrew Morton's parents campaigned tirelessly for the law to be changed.

Speaking after the Holyrood vote, Andrew's mother Sharon MacMillan said: "We are totally delighted that, finally, it's got to this stage.

"I thought it would have taken two or three years - never all this time. But I promised Andrew we wouldn't give up and we didn't.

"This is for Andrew. It's been a hard campaign."

From the end of 2016, "Andrew's Law" will come into force. Ahead of this date, anyone holding an air weapon has six months to either obtain a certificate or to surrender their weapons to police.

There are an estimated 500,000 airguns in Scotland which will be affected by the new controls.

On Monday, a total of 72 police stations will be opened so that weapons can be handed in if owners do not wish to keep them.