ALL airguns should be locked up in licensed clubs to stamp out the terror inflicted on innocent people, acc-ording to South Swindon MP Julia Drown.

The Labour MP said the tough move would prevent young people firing the weapons at passers-by, cyclists and even buses.

Ms Drown warned the police were increasingly being called out to shooting incidents, unaware of whether they involved real firearms or airguns.

And she predicted a youngster wielding an airgun would one day be shot by police unable to tell the difference.

Her calls come after caretaker Andrew Shep-herd was hospitalised last April after being shot in the face with a gas-propelled ball-bearing gun in Groundwell Road.

And eight youths were arrested after a burglary at Swindon Angling Centre. They were caught taking shots at passing motorists.

Also last April, a cat survived being shot in the head four times with a spring-loaded ball-bearing gun in Penhill.

"All air rifles, air pistols and ammunition should be kept only at clubs with all the necessary ass-ociated security," said Ms Drown. "Another sug-gested measure is to tighten up on the sale of weapons by restricting sales to registered dealers. They could deliver guns directly to the clubs."

Ms Drown's proposals go further than the Government's plans to tackle the airgun problem, which are currently before parliament.

Under the Anti-Social Behaviour Bill the age limit for buying and using an air weapon without adult supervision will be raised from 14 to 17.

And there will be a total ban on carrying replica guns such as pellet guns and BB toy pistols.

The Home Office plans to ban the sale of air cartridge systems, such as the Brocock, which can be easily converted to fire live ammunition.

Gun-toting kids and their parents will be fined up to £5,000 for flouting the new rules, with adults also facing jail terms of up to six months.

Ms Drown said she was pressing ministers to establish an effective licensing system for air weapons. She said there were 280 reported firearm incidents in Swindon last year most involving airguns or replica guns.