Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 25 Apr 1990

Vol. 397 No. 9

Written Answers. - Firearm Certificates.

Mervyn Taylor

Question:

199 Mr. Taylor asked the Minister for Justice the total number of firearms certificates issued in Ireland at the latest date for which figures are available; the criteria applied to the granting of new applications for new licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Justice (Mr. Burke)

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 and the statistics of firearms certificates issued to non-residents by my Department relate to the calendar year.

The latest statistics of firearm certificates issued are:

(1) Residents of the State, 1 August 1989 to 12 April 1990 — 185,389;

(2) Non-residents, 1 January to 31 December 1989 — 5,167.

Under the Firearms Acts, 1925 to 1971, the authority to grant or refuse to grant a firearm certificate to any person resident in the State is vested in the local superintendent of the Garda District where the person resides.

When issuing a firearm certificate the superintendent has regard to the provisions of the Acts which cover the conditions for the grant of firearm certificates i.e. section 4 and subsection (1) of section 8 of the Firearms Act, 1925, as amended by section 17 of the Firearms Act, 1964.