Applications must be in by October 31 to ensure owners can keep their air guns until certificates are granted.
They need to apply for a firearms certificate to be able to keep their weapons when the new laws come into force on December 31.
The new laws, introduced in the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015, will make it a criminal offence to have an air weapon without a licence or permit and could see perpetrators fined or face up to two years in prison.
Justice Secretary Michael Matheson this week said: “I’d like to remind anyone who owns an air weapon, regardless of whether or not they use it, to apply to Police Scotland for a licence straight away.
““The October 31 deadline gives users enough time to get a certificate, or a permit in some circumstances, before the new rules are introduced.
“If you possess an air weapon and apply for a certificate by 31 October, but the application has not been determined by 31 December, you can continue to possess the weapon without holding a certificate.
“You cannot, however, use the air weapon, or purchase or acquire another until your application has been decided.”
He added: “The new law is a means of ensuring people can use air weapons in a regulated way without compromising public safety.”
To find out more on how to apply visit www.airweapon.scot
