Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 649: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the conditions an applicant must meet to have a licence renewed (details supplied). [1964/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Applications for Restricted Firearm Certificates, whether they be for handguns, rifles or shotguns, must now be considered by a member of the Garda Síochána holding the rank of Chief Superintendent. It is important to realise that under the new legislation all applications for Firearm Certificates are regarded as new applications and not renewals.

The conditions subject to which a firearm certificate may be granted are set out in section 4 (2) of the Firearms Act 1925 as amended by section 32 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006.

A person applying for a Firearm Certificate for target-shooting must now be a member of an authorised rifle or pistol club as laid down in the Firearms (Authorisation of Rifle or Pistol Clubs) Regulations, 2009 (S.I. 308 of 2009). In addition, persons who held a Firearm Certificate prior to 19 November 2008 for a firearm which now requires a Restricted Firearm Certificate, must have demonstrated that the firearm is the only type of weapon that is appropriate for the purpose for which it is required. This requirement is in addition to satisfying the Chief Superintendent that the Applicant has good and sufficient reason to possess, use and carry the firearm; is not disentitled to hold a firearm certificate under the Firearms Acts; and is not a danger to public safety or security or to the peace.

Furthermore, all firearm owners must also comply with the security requirements as laid down in S.I. 307 of 2009 Firearms (Secure Accommodation) Regulations 2009. The minimum security standards required at a dwelling is dependent on the number and calibre(s) of firearms held by an individual. This requirement applies to owners of all firearms.

Under the Firearms Acts, each application, restricted or otherwise, is adjudicated upon by the issuing Garda Chief Superintendent on its own individual merits and I have no role in the granting of these certificates.

It should be noted that section 15A of the Firearms Act 1925, as amended by the Criminal Justice Act 2006, provides that an appeal may be made to the District Court by a person aggrieved by a decision to refuse to grant or renew a firearm certificate.