A licensing scheme has been introduced under the Custodial Sentences and Weapons (Scotland) Act 2007, obliging dealers of non-domestic knives to comply fully with the law and relevant restrictions.

Under the scheme, knife sellers will have to keep records of how a customer's age and identity were verified along with full descriptions of any knives sold. Window displays of knives will be prohibited and retailers will have to display signs indicating the minimum age for purchase.

Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill said that non domestic knives such as hunting and fishing knives were dangerous weapons when they are in the wrong hands.

"It is clear to me there are certain requirements that should be applied across the board - such as the need to keep descriptions of the knives sold. However, there is also a need to allow other requirements to be tailored at a local level," he said.

"Why should a shop in a small rural village selling fishing knives, rods and bait and frequented mostly by those on their way to a nearby river, be subject to exactly the same requirements as a shop in a busy street in a large city? We need a common sense approach to make sure this licensing system is as effective and simple as it can be - whilst also making sure it does its job of making sure these knives don't fall into the wrong hands.

"I'm confident that we've taken on board the comments in the consultation to make sure we've got the balance between what's needed in all cases and what is best determined at a local level."