Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013
1060. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will clarify the legal position regarding SI 307 of 2009, section 4, as raised by a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37325/13]
View answerStatutory Instrument 307 of 2009: ‘Firearms (Secure Accommodation) Regulations 2009’, outlines the security requirements of firearm owners in this State, depending on the number and type of firearm(s) they have licensed.
The only exception (as provided in the first Section of the schedule in S.I 307 of 2009) to the minimum requirement of a gun safe is for an individual who has one non-restricted shotgun. The minimum requirement in that situation is that:
" The shotgun shall be disassembled and each part shall be stored securely and separately when not in use.
The trigger housing shall be secured against use with an appropriate trigger lock."
It is important to note that the Statutory Instrument specifies minimum requirements. It is open to the Garda Síochána to impose a condition that goes beyond these minimum requirements if they consider it necessary in the interests of public safety and security.
I note from the details supplied that the requirement for a gun safe for a 0.22 air rifle is questioned. I would consider air rifles, particularly those of 0.22 calibre, to be dangerous weapons when inappropriately handled. Accordingly I have no plans to revise the Statutory Instrument at this stage. I will forward to the Deputy an article in the Journal of Clinical Pathology outlining fatalities and injuries caused by the misuse of air weapons.
