Gun law reform as demanded by Holyrood ministers has been ruled out by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith.
The move prompted her Scottish counterpart, Kenny MacAskill, to accuse her of complacency yesterday after she declined an invitation to co-host a summit on the subject in Scotland.
Mr MacAskill, the Justice Minister, said: "I'm disappointed our invitation has been rejected and concerned that the Home Secretary says a review isn't needed now.
"The most recent figures revealed firearms casualties in Scotland rose by 25% in a year - one in three of them children.
"Communities across Scotland, indeed across the UK, will be alarmed by the apparent complacency."
But Scottish Secretary Des Browne came to the support of his Westminster cabinet colleague, calling the accusation of complacency a "gross distortion" and claiming that SNP ministers had an "obsession" with air weapons.
He said her letter pointed out that the way statistical evidence on air gun offences in Scotland was gathered made it far from clear and he also pointed out that Ms Smith had expressed a willingness to look at any ideas that emerged from Mr MacAskill's summit.
Firearms control is reserved to Westminster but a series of high-profile shootings have given the issue growing prominence in Scotland.
Two-year-old Andrew Morton died in Glasgow three years ago after he was hit in the head by an airgun pellet. Two years ago 32-year-old Graeme Baxter of East Calder was killed when a pellet pierced his heart.
Mr MacAskill said: "We need a robust regime - more efficient for our police to administer and enforce, and above all one that puts greater focus on public safety.
"If Westminster doesn't feel ready or willing to act, we must press ahead with a national summit."
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