Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

An amendment has not been tabled on this issue. It is necessary to include the relevant provisions because the number of those engaged in airsoft has dramatically increased, as have the numbers and types of airsoft guns. It is not uncommon for people to have weaponry which, to all intents and purposes, are imitation weapons. While I accept that people use these weapons in a sport, if this weaponry proliferates to the extent that it is readily available throughout the country, the security forces will have justifiable concerns. In a combat scenario, for example, a bank robbery, it will be difficult to ascertain whether a gun is a real or imitation weapon.

The power to which the Deputy referred is necessary to ensure that if the position gets out of hand, the legislation may be applied in such a way as to ensure restrictions are imposed on the sale of the weapons in question. In a recent well publicised incident in my constituency children were using these types of guns to shoot and maim dogs.

There is anecdotal evidence that some of these imitation weapons are being adapted with stronger spring mechanisms which could inflict serious or lethal injuries on animals or people. Considerable attention will be paid to this area for the simple reason that restrictions are needed to ensure these weapons are used solely for sporting purposes. In light of the strong advice I have received from gardaí and my officials, as well as the anecdotal evidence presented by a number of Deputies, we should proceed carefully.

I would welcome annual reviews of the legislation because I do not doubt other Members share my unease at the increasing number of these weapons. One would need to be an expert to recognise some of them as imitations rather than real weapons.

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