Mr. Fergus Healy:

The requirement under the Act is that one would have to have had a licence for a restricted handgun prior to 2009. In order to apply, one had to apply for one's certificate all over again. Everybody who had a licensed handgun, which was now falling into the restricted category, was required to reapply. Many people surrendered their guns, having decided they did not want them anymore. We now have a situation where we have a significant number of those categories of guns. If one did not have a gun licence in that catchment period, one is not eligible to apply under the new the legislation. In effect, the Act ring-fenced that number of restricted handguns. However, the three-year licence applies. It is renewable every three years until such time as the person is no longer able, or no longer wishes, to have the gun. There is a certain lifespan on those types of weapons because eventually, over a period of time, people will pass on. Those gun licences will basically fall off the edge with the passing of time. However, it is a concern that we have that number of restricted handguns on issue.