Seanad debates

Monday, 3 July 2006

Criminal Justice Bill 2004: Committee Stage.

 

5:00 pm

Derek McDowell (Labour)

The Commissioner alone can do this. The administration of this provision is centralised in Phoenix Park. Section 28 states, "The Commissioner, on application and payment of the prescribed fee (if any), may issue to a person over 14 years of age a certificate (in this Act referred to as a "firearms training certificate") authorising the person to possess a firearm and ammunition...". In other words, the person can merely have it in his or her possession, not own it. The person is not allowed to have it in his or her house, or to store it or any of those things. It is not a right of ownership.

The section continues "only while (a) carrying and using the firearm for hunting or target shooting". A kid may not have a firearm under the bed at home. That is not authorised possession. A kid may not bring it to school. He cannot do any of those things. It must be in that context only and "(i) under the supervision of a specified person over 18 years of age". In other words it is not any person over the age of 18 but it must be a particular adult——

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