asked the Minister for Justice if he has satisfied himself with the conditions and inquiries made of applicants for gun licences; and if he will review the present regulations.
Written Answers. - Gun Licences.
70.
Under the Firearms Acts, 1925 to 1971, the power to grant or refuse to grant a firearm certificate to any person is vested in the local superintendent of the Garda district where the person resides. The Garda authorities have informed me that the provisions of the Acts which cover the conditions for the grant of firearm certificates are operating satisfactorily and that thorough inquiries are made in relation to all applicants. In the circumstances, I do not see that there is a need to change the present arrangements.
71.
asked the Minister for Justice the number of gun licences at present in existence; and the corresponding figure for 1986, 1987 and 1988.
The information sought in the question is set out in the following tabular statement. Statistics of firearm certificates issued to persons who reside here are compiled by the Garda Síochána on the basis of the year ending 31 July, whereas statistics of firearm certificates issued to non-residents, mainly visitors for game shooting by my Department and the Wildlife Service of the Office of Public Works relate to the calendar year.
|
Number of Firearm Certificates issued to residents in the year ending 31 July |
Number of Firearm Certificates* issued to non- residents in the year ending 31 December |
|
|
1986 |
179,777 |
3,840 |
|
1987 |
182,832 |
3,996 |
|
1988 |
185,004 |
4,128 |
|
1989 |
186,184 |
553 |
|
to date |
* A small number — on average 15 each year — of additional firearm certificates for rifles are issued to non-residents by the Customs and Excise Branch of the Revenue Commissioners.