Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will explain why I use the word "weapon". I do not agree with the delegates' point. They must remember that they are members of sports clubs, that we are lay people in the Oireachtas and that the vast majority of citizens would not draw a distinction between a weapon and a firearm. We live in the world of Hollywood culture and watch movies. While the delegates are focusing on the terminology used for weapons and firearms, most people do not see a difference. It is not the most important point. On the issue of automatic rifles and weapons that might be used, the concern of An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces is that they do not want anybody to have possession of a weapon that would give him or her an advantage against gardaí on the streets. If someone has an automatic weapon or rifle and there was a situation, that person would have an advantage. That is the practical concern which is a reasonable one.

The delegates make the strong point that if something resembles something but is not it, there must be a logical and sensible way to say that while something looks like an automatic rifle, it clearly is not one. That takes me to my question. Is there an international practice or an international body to adjudicate and state that what we want safely to be in the hands of sports clubs is fine and will not be in the category about which one is worried?

The delegates spoke about crime prevention officers visiting their homes. Is there a space for an independent body that would do two things - adjudicate on whether the weapon is one that is internationally understood to be used for sporting purposes and hunky dory if secured safely and have the responsibility instead of crime prevention officers of visiting the homes of sports body members to ensure they were complying with the security requirements? It strikes me that there is a way to find common ground that does not put the sport at risk, while reassuring the public who are lay people and do not have the delegates' understanding. I am a layperson and to me, weapons and firearms are the same. It is about giving that sense of assurance in a sensible way that reassures the public.