there is no change to the current legislation, and there is no hold on licencing pistols, in saying that before you buy anything go talk to your local Firearms officer or Super and let them know what you plan and get their views on you having a pistol. Better than spending your money and then been told nah I don't like the look of that

Expect to wait for at least 3 months (the period the Gardai are allowed to process an application) before getting the licence. Seems certain supers are holding off to see what why this whole thing is going to go.

You really need to talk to your super on this. None of us here can give you a definite answer.

But you are right, it is true that a lot of us are now getting hassle when there was never an issue before. Just a few weeks ago my own super was very reluctant to give out a new licence to me (and I'm a long time pistol shooter) and I see some other lads on here in the same boat, had pistols for years and now getting hassle. Just fingers crossed your super isn't in the band wagon.

A little bit of advice that worked for me. Find yourself a copy of the old commisioner guidelines there was a list of 'acceptable pistols' at the back of it. Pick one of those pistols listed and it should make a life that little bit easier.

Also, the government proposals that your hearing all about lately is to go after pistols with a barrel shorter then 12.7cm.... now of course its only proposals... its not set in stone..... but just something to keep in mind.

The Beretta 87T is looked upon as favourably az the GSG 1911

See the Super first then you know if your putting down a deposit and what pistol your putting it down on SilentD

Hi,

Interesting that many of you are suggesting that SilentD go have a chat first, I would tend to take the opposite approach...

Assuming that SilentD has a genuine reason for wanting the pistol and there are no special considerations, I would be inclined to complete the application and put it straight in. If the F.O. or Super wants to have a chat, you'll get a phonecall, but he / she may feel there is no need.

No one should be taking the veiw that applications are "on hold" at the moment. The law has not been changed.

Also, just to give a little balance. My own experiences with the licencing proceedures & Gardai to date have been very good - I've never had to wait an unreasonable amount of time (i.e. anything even close to 3 months) or felt that I was being unfairly treated etc. and that includes my more recent experiences. I'm not a special case btw and don't have any connections, I'm just a "happy customer"

Obviously, I agree 100% about putting no more than a small cash deposit down until the licence is approved.

garrettod wrote: »

Hi,

Interesting that many of you are suggesting that SilentD go have a chat first, I would tend to take the opposite approach...

Assuming that SilentD has a genuine reason for wanting the pistol and there are no special considerations, I would be inclined to complete the application and put it straight in. If the F.O. or Super wants to have a chat, you'll get a phonecall, but he / she may feel there is no need.

I highlighted the line from your post why in my opinion it is best to talk to the Super prior to purchase, you must have target shooting on an authorised range as the only reason and most likely he the Super will have considerations , so best to find out what his considerations are in my opinion, in my own case the Super wanted a non monitored alarm in my house and a secure metal transit case for transportation, He got both and I got my licence.

garrettod wrote: »

Interesting that many of you are suggesting that SilentD go have a chat first, I would tend to take the opposite approach...

The reason I suggest talking to him first is to test the waters. My lad was always fairly reasonable but in the last few months seems to have taken a major dislike for 1911's or anything thats black or evil looking, or anything that comes pre-threaded for a silencer.

So Id be off the opinion its better to have a 10 minute meeting and find this stuff out first before putting the form in and getting the refusal and then having to go get the desposit back and then have to start a brand new application all over again.

garrettod wrote: »

Hi,

While slight, the actual risk of a member of the force trying to talk someone out of applying is the very reason why I would put the formal application straight in without prior discussion. Then, if it is to be rejected, it has to be on solid grounds and not just based on an individual's view on firearms.

I'm not saying that everyone in the force would take the above approach (infact, I'd hope none would) and as already mentioned, my own experiences have been very good, but it just removes the risk of someone potentially trying to scare off an application before it is formally made.

I was told barefaced lies by the FO at my local station the first time I enquired about getting a pistol. This was about about five or six years ago.

I went in, asked what was the procedure for applying for a .22 pistol, and was told that the Super has said he isn't licencing any more pistols, that in effect they are banned. I was told that there's no point applying, I won't even take your application as it would be a waste of time.

Like the good law abiding citizen that I am, I took the Guard at his word, didn't apply for a pistol and went quietly away.

About two years later I met a member of Harbour House and was talking to him about shooting. It was only then that I found out that I had been lied to and that .22 pistols weren't banned. I was well pi55ed off that I had been lied to and that I had missed out on a few years of shooting.

I then applied for a pistol, it took three months to the day for the licence to come through.

Sorry for the long story but I have learned that you need to know the law when talking to the Gardai about firearms because either they don't know the law or don't always apply it correctly.