asked the Minister for Justice whether he will give the number of firearm licences held by citizens; and whether there has been any increase in the number of such licences over the past five years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Firearm Licences.
91.
The number of firearm certificates issued by the Garda to persons resident in the State in the year ended 30th June, 1969, was 113,072 and the number issued by the Minister for Justice to non-residents was 3,489. The corresponding numbers issued in the year ended 30th June, 1965, were 102, 810 and 2,741.
The number of persons holding certificates is, of course, less than the number of certificates issued because a person may have more than one firearm. For example, nearly 5,500 shotgun certificates were issued in 1969 to persons already holding shotgun certificates.