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A Labour MP has proposed legislation to introduce a minimum age of 14 for shotgun licence.
Thomas Docherty (Lab, Dunfermline and West Fife) said his proposed bill is "purposefully limited" and intended to close a loophole in the law.
At present there is no minimum age for shotguns, as there are for other types of firearms licences.
There are at present 26 licences for ten-year-olds, 72 for 11 year olds, 134 for 12 year olds and 231 for 13 year olds, Docherty told the House.
Licences are issued by chief constables, though "for practical purposes" more junior officers undertake the task.
Police may only refuse if they can demonstrate that the person is a danger to the public, has "no good reason" to possess the shotgun or is restricted by the courts from holding a firearm licence.
Docherty said it is "most unsatisfactory" that 10 or 11 year old children are granted shotgun licences.
He said his bill sends a signal that people in this country are "not comfortable" with children handling firearms.
Docherty told the House that he has cross-party support and the Scottish government, while it has no powers over firearm legislation, supports the principle of his bill.
He also argued that if 32 US states have an age limit for firearm licences, then the UK should too.
The bill, introduced under the ten minute rule motion, was given an unopposed first reading but stands little chance of becoming law due to a lack of parliamentary time.
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