asked the Minister for Justice the number of current firearms certificates issued for pistols, airguns and rifles; if separate totals are available for each category; and the annual estimated income which will accrue from the increase to £5 per annum for such licences.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Firearms Certificates.
54.
The most recent complete year for which figures are available is the year ended 30th June, 1971. In that year a total of 22,721 firearm certificates were issued in respect of rifles, 2,189 in respect of air rifles and air guns, and 1,565 in respect of pistols and revolvers, including air pistols.
If a similar number of firearm certificates in each of those categories were issued during the year commencing 1st August, 1972, an increase of £95,322 in revenue would accrue. My expectation, however, is that a significant number of persons will surrender their firearms rather than pay the increased fee.