asked the Minister for Justice the number of firearms which are legally registered in the Republic; and the number of firearms recovered at the scene of armed robberies in the Republic during the period 1st January, 1971, to 31st March, 1972, which were legally registered.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Firearms Statistics.
69.
I assume that what the Deputy has in mind is the number of firearms in the State in respect of which firearm certificates have been issued.
The number of firearm certificates issued by the Garda to persons resident in the State in the year ended 30th June, 1971, was 114,345 and the number issued by the Minister for Justice to non-residents was 3,868.
One firearm found in the vicinity of the scene of an armed robbery during the period referred to in the question was identified as a firearm which had been reported stolen by its owner who is the holder of a firearm certificate in respect of it.
Has the Minister any information as to the date of the report that it was stolen and the subsequent date of the robbery in question?
The robbery was on the 11th of January, 1972. I have no information as to when the firearm was stolen. It simply says it was stolen previous to the robbery.
Could the Minister say whether the report that it was stolen was previous or subsequent to the robbery?
That is elaborating the question.
I have no information on that. I very much think that the report that it was stolen was previous to the robbery.
Of these 114,000 odd licences how many were in respect of ordinary shotguns? I do not want the exact number.
About 88,500 were in respect of ordinary shotguns, between 12,000 and 15,000 were in respect of airguns. The number of pistols and revolvers was 1,565. I have not the number of .303 rifles but it is very small. It would only be a couple of hundred.
70.
asked the Minister for Justice what criteria are applied prior to issuing a licence to use firearms.
The criteria are set out in section 4 of the Firearms Act, 1925.
Who gives the decision in this matter?
The local Garda superintendent.
Is there any appeal against his decision?
I do not think there is. There is an appeal in relation to revocation but not in relation to a decision whether or not it is granted. I think that is the position.