Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Nov 2000

Vol. 525 No. 2

Written Answers. - Firearms Regulations.

Bernard Allen

Question:

777 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will bring in regulations requiring owners of shotguns and sporting guns either to have a safety case for their weapons or to have them stored with the local gardaí or with a licensed gun dealer; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the gardaí are now insisting that all new licensees have a steel gun case bolted to a wall and that, from 2001, all existing licensees will be required to have such a case; and the current standard of these cases. [23955/00]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue): The Firearms Acts, 1925 to 2000, provide that it is not lawful for any person, with some exceptions such as firearms dealers, to have in his/her possession, use or carry a firearm unless such possession is authorised by a firearm certificate granted under the Acts.

The power to grant or refuse to grant a firearm certificate to any person resident in the State is vested in the superintendent of the Garda district where the person resides. One of the conditions for the granting of a firearm certificate is that the superintendent shall be satisfied that the applicant can be permitted to have the firearm in his/her possession without danger to the public safety or to the peace. I have no statutory function in the matter.

I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that new firearm storage requirements were introduced earlier this year which are being challenged in the High Court by way of an application for judicial review. As this matter is the subject of High Court proceedings, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further.