Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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508. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of hand guns that have been licensed in the Irish state for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2867/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I can inform the Deputy that the number of handguns licensed per year from 1st August 2009 to 2012 inclusive, is as set out in the table below:

* 1 Aug on. Figures prior to this date are not readily available.

On 1st August 2009, the remaining Sections of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 and Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 relating to firearms were commenced. The legislation provided for three year rolling certificates as against the old one year certificates which used expire on 31st July each year. The legislation also prohibited new licences being granted in respect of large calibre handguns except where the person held a licence for the weapon prior to 19 November 2008.

I am keeping the provisions of firearms legislation under review.