asked the Minister for Justice whether the Minister will state the regulations governing the issue of firearm certificates to farmers who require guns for the protection of their crops, and the procedure to be followed by them in making application for such licences.
Written Answer. - Firearms Certificates.
Firearm certificates are issued by Superintendents of the Gárda Síochána to suitable persons on payment of the prescribed fee. Under Section 5 (3) of the Firearms Act, 1925, the firearm certificate in the case of a shot gun may be expressed and in such cases operates to authorise the firearm to be used only for killing animals or birds other than game on land occupied by the person to whom such certificate is granted. Such certificates are issued on payment of a fee of 5s. and are referred to as limited certificates. Occupiers of land who require shot guns for the protection of their crops should apply to the Superintendent of the Gárda Síochána in charge of their district. The applicant's name and address, description of firearm, maker's name and number, should be stated and it should be added: "I am in occupation of land at ... and I intend to use the firearm only for killing animals or birds other than game on my land."