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why are the garda so afraid of licenced guns??

  • 30-09-2007 8:48pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,230 ✭✭✭


    Im just wondering why it seems that most garda fear legaly held firearms in Ireland? By all acounts we licenced gun owners are the most law abiding folks and in europe the smallest per head holders of firearms per cap.
    Is it a civil war issue? Or is it a lack of training issue? Or is it comming down on us from the very top of the gardi?

    I feel that it all boils down to supers who are comming to there retirements or sargents! NOT WANTING TO BE INFRONT OF A HIGH COURT DEBATe
    I have asked for a pistol licence from my local and felt like i was a part of a teroist group; I shot all types of guns in the US and was in control of explosive items (legally) in Ireland. (IIE) for 10yrs.


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Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 77 ✭✭sounder


    chem wrote:
    Im just wondering why it seems that most garda fear legaly held firearms in Ireland? By all acounts we licenced gun owners are the most law abiding folks and in europe the smallest per head holders of firearms per cap.
    Is it a civil war issue? Or is it a lack of training issue? Or is it comming down on us from the very top of the gardi?

    I feel that it all boils down to supers who are comming to there retirements or sargents! NOT WANTING TO BE INFRONT OF A HIGH COURT DEBATe
    I have asked for a pistol licence from my local and felt like i was a part of a teroist group; I shot all types of guns in the US and was in control of explosive items (legally) in Ireland. (IIE) for 10yrs.
    because they don't have a ****ing clue..........:)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 76 ✭✭GilGrissom


    sounder wrote:
    because they don't have a ****ing clue..........:)
    QFT!

    Oh it's so true.

    Any time I go in to ask something, I end up having to refer them to which section of the firearms act applies. They seem to be afraid of people who know more than them.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 491 ✭✭alan123


    Its simple.... guy buys gun, guy goes beserk and masacres his family, himself and his pets, would YOU want to be the one that reccomended his licence?!! Thats what he is thinking.

    At the end of the day, lets face it handguns especially 9mm are designed to kill people, sure you can target shoot with them but they are primarily used to kill people (military police etc). You can probably target shoot with a rocket launcher but it doesnt mean they should grant licences!! As for the guard not having a clue... does anyone not involved in the sport have a clue?? I dont have a handgun, all I know about them is Clint Eastwood has the most powerfull handgun in the world and every time I turn on the tv someone is whacked, popped,etc by a handgun. I have never seen target shooting or any other pistol disciplines on tv or elsewhere so you cant blame a guy for thinking they are dangerous? Maybe the pistol associations should pro actively promote the sport and let people get informed about the sport?

    And dont forget, for every one of you guys (genuine sports men) who applies he probably has ten nuts that applies and most of them pretending to be target shooters.

    Im obviously pro gun, ust playing a bit of devils advocate and sticking up for the ol Guard, again!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,096 ✭✭✭bunny shooter


    alan123 wrote:
    Its simple.... guy buys gun, guy goes beserk and masacres his family, himself and his pets, would YOU want to be the one that reccomended his licence?!! Thats what he is thinking.

    At the end of the day, lets face it handguns especially 9mm are designed to kill people, sure you can target shoot with them but they are primarily used to kill people (military police etc). You can probably target shoot with a rocket launcher but it doesnt mean they should grant licences!! As for the guard not having a clue... does anyone not involved in the sport have a clue?? I dont have a handgun, all I know about them is Clint Eastwood has the most powerfull handgun in the world and every time I turn on the tv someone is whacked, popped,etc by a handgun. I have never seen target shooting or any other pistol disciplines on tv or elsewhere so you cant blame a guy for thinking they are dangerous? Maybe the pistol associations should pro actively promote the sport and let people get informed about the sport?

    And dont forget, for every one of you guys (genuine sports men) who applies he probably has ten nuts that applies and most of them pretending to be target shooters.

    Im obviously pro gun, ust playing a bit of devils advocate and sticking up for the ol Guard, again!

    desert eagle .50 cal is biggest and I'd love to shoot targets with it


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,244 ✭✭✭rrpc


    desert eagle .50 cal is biggest and I'd love to shoot targets with it

    No it isn't, this is.

    That's if you can hold onto it of course :D


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,793 ✭✭✭✭Hagar


    alan123 wrote:
    I have never seen target shooting or any other pistol disciplines on tv or elsewhere so you cant blame a guy for thinking they are dangerous?
    I think the reason for that is shooting is a poor spectator sport. There's very little for a TV audience to see. A small hole appearing in a piece of paper is hardly rivetting TV. Imagine the slow mo action replay. No hole...hole... :D
    The only regularly broadcast shooting event is the Skiing Bi-Athlon, that's interesting enough to watch but I don't think we have any Irish participation in the sport so it doesn't reach the genaral public awareness.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,389 ✭✭✭✭Saruman


    Its probably down to availability. If there are lots of licensed guns, they are more available. More chances of them falling into the wrong hands.
    Look at the US... a stroppy teenager decides enough is enough, goes home and gets his dads gun and blows the hell out of his classmates.

    The Gun owners might be fine but the fact they own a gun is a temptation for others.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 40,038 ✭✭✭✭Sparks


    rrpc wrote:
    That's if you can hold onto it of course :D
    Which isn't always that funny a joke, sadly. Wasn't a young kid killed in Canada a few years back because someone let him shoot a handgun that was so overpowered for him that he was killed when the recoil threw the pistol back against his skull?

    As to why the Gardai are so afraid of licenced firearms, they're not. Some of them, usually the ones who have no training in firearms legislation or exposure to firearms in a civilian context, have a problem with being the one with the signature on the piece of paper and the subsequent possible liability in the event of an accident. They believe, and I can't really blame them too much for it because I'd feel the same way, that if they have no idea of how the sport goes or what the firearms are capable of and probably don't know you from adam, that it's unfair to ask them to take on liability for something they've only ever seen through coverage of Dunblane or Hungerford on tabloid news channels.

    It's also a distant and remote possibility that being described as eejits by the target shooting community more or less continually and in print both here and in places like the ISD and in the national press, may not have prejudiced the undecided gardai in our favour...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 491 ✭✭alan123


    Hagar wrote:
    I think the reason for that is shooting is a poor spectator sport. There's very little for a TV audience to see. A small hole appearing in a piece of paper is hardly rivetting TV. Imagine the slow mo action replay. No hole...hole... :D
    The only regularly broadcast shooting event is the Skiing Bi-Athlon, that's interesting enough to watch but I don't think we have any Irish participation in the sport so it doesn't reach the genaral public awareness.

    I agree, the whole thing where the gun doesnt look like a gun and the shooter is wearing blinkers isnt very exciting but what about that dicipline where guys use 9mm and move around the course, like a mock action scene or dont they do that here? Thats good tv.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,244 ✭✭✭rrpc


    alan123 wrote:
    I agree, the whole thing where the gun doesnt look like a gun and the shooter is wearing blinkers isnt very exciting but what about that dicipline where guys use 9mm and move around the course, like a mock action scene or dont they do that here? Thats good tv.

    Might be good tv, but (no offence to the practical guys) it looks like either kids playing cops and robbers or paramilitary training exercises to the uninitiated. I want to re-emphasise that it's to the uninitiated before I get flamed here. I understand the difficulty involved, but seeing as this thread started about Gardai being afraid of granting pistol licences, I doubt watching practical matches would give them much comfort.






    Goes away and hides under desk in anticipation of fusillade from IPSC people


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,127 ✭✭✭BryanL


    but they have no problems with driving licences, alot of people killed every year.
    when i went to pay for my gun licence the gara behind the desk was complaining that they were so cheap! we had a chat.......
    Bryan


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,300 ✭✭✭nice1franko


    rrpc wrote:
    No it isn't, this is.

    That's if you can hold onto it of course :D
    :D that was a fair oul smack in the head - that'll learn em!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 491 ✭✭alan123


    rrpc wrote:
    Might be good tv, but (no offence to the practical guys) it looks like either kids playing cops and robbers or paramilitary training exercises to the uninitiated. I want to re-emphasise that it's to the uninitiated before I get flamed here. I understand the difficulty involved, but seeing as this thread started about Gardai being afraid of granting pistol licences, I doubt watching practical matches would give them much comfort.






    Goes away and hides under desk in anticipation of fusillade from IPSC people

    Well if you dont do the "practical" shooting courses, what sport do you use 9mm for or are they only good for shooting people??!!!Is there a genuine sporting dicipline in this category?????


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,244 ✭✭✭rrpc


    alan123 wrote:
    Well if you dont do the "practical" shooting courses, what sport do you use 9mm for or are they only good for shooting people??!!!Is there a genuine sporting dicipline in this category?????

    Practical pistol seems to be the only major international discipline. The NRA in the US have a few different target dsiciplines using them, but they haven't really transferred across the Atlantic.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 491 ✭✭alan123


    rrpc wrote:
    Practical pistol seems to be the only major international discipline. The NRA in the US have a few different target dsiciplines using them, but they haven't really transferred across the Atlantic.

    So back to the thread then; can you blame the Guards for not wanting to issue licences when there is no sporting value to 9mm pistols in Ireland??


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,641 ✭✭✭Bananaman


    Steady now

    I do both Practical and Static pistol shooting competitions. Both with 9mm - although I do prefer some other calibres for the static - a CZ Champion in .40 or a S&W or Taurus .38 Revolver are hard beat for those disciplines for me.

    With respect to an audience for Practical Pistol - even it being Gardai who want to "have a goo" - I would find that a good step forward - we have held competitions before where a few Gardai have come for a look to see what it as all about- they were impressed by the safety aspects of it and also were quite curious as to how they would do.

    There were two Gardai on my Basic Practical Pistol Course - again I'm sure they learned a thing or two and would have gone away knowing that there is nothing in common between Practical Pistol and any sort of training for armed duty - in fact, if I remember correctly they pointed out they contradict each other in many ways due to the safety concerns in practical.

    I actually look forward to the day when the Gardai and the Army get their teeth into Practical Pistol and start to enter teams coz you know you'll have some serious rivalry between them and a generally better appreciation, by the rest of the force, of the types of firearms used in competition.

    A lot has been said about a lack of experience by some Gardai with respect to firearms - a lot of the time you wil get the new guy at the desk so that is to be expected. I have been there and will be again so I understand the frustration. The best way, in my opinion, for them to get experience and for the rest to get interested in the sport is for the Gardai themselves to be in it.
    it looks like either kids playing cops and robbers or paramilitary training exercises to the uninitiated

    I beg to differ - on the range I use, camo or militaria are not allowed for that very reason - you don't want people - the uninitiated as you called them - to think you have weekend warriors on the range.
    When a Practical competition - or just a few lads shooting a couple of stages for the craic is on - there are no firearms allowed to be unboxed until you enter the range and only then at a designated safety area.

    No competitors coming down to the range will have had a safety briefing and had a brief description of the sport explained to them.

    Once shooting commences there is usually 30-40 seconds shooting in 60-70 seconds of range prep and making safe followed by 120-240 seconds of scoring.

    I dunno how that can look like anything other than competition.

    PS: Our guns run out of bullets aswell - usually with only one round required to finish the stage :)

    B'Man


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,641 ✭✭✭Bananaman


    No competitors

    ALL competitors


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 649 ✭✭✭sidneyreilly


    Indeed. One of the root problems with the sport is the ingnorance of others, only way to change that is to show them, helps to have a good ambasador explainging what they are looking ta though:)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 491 ✭✭alan123


    Indeed. One of the root problems with the sport is the ingnorance of others, only way to change that is to show them, helps to have a good ambasador explainging what they are looking ta though:)

    Agreed, thanks Bananaman, where is a range to watch practical shooting?? (north Dublin vicinity)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 649 ✭✭✭sidneyreilly


    alan123 wrote:
    Agreed, thanks Bananaman, where is a range to watch practical shooting?? (north Dublin vicinity)


    PM sent Alan.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,070 ✭✭✭cavan shooter


    I don't think Gardai are afraid of licenced guns, it is licenced guns falling into the hands of criminals/NUTTERS that the Gardai are afraid of. But there is another side of this story, Gardai/Police forces tend to implement state policy.

    A friend of mine who has studied poitical science for years (big shooting man) and now works as a lecturer. He reckons that in any country which was founded by force of arms, the state is always nervous of the "plebs" having access to firearms and therefore has tighter gun control.

    Sometimes you cant blame the gardai....I overheard a conversation at a gun shop recently where a guy was enquiring "on how he could get a 9 mil" after moving away from pistols he looked at a mossberg pump and was physically upset when the store owner informed him it only fired 3 shots (2 mag 1 in chamber)

    The argument that tighter gun control stops criminals is ridiculous. Paul williams writes often about the weapons sent in with drugs shipments the so called "sweetneer". But I'd hate to see nothing at all.......


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,194 ✭✭✭Trojan911


    Sparks wrote:
    As to why the Gardai are so afraid of licenced firearms, they're not. Some of them, usually the ones who have no training in firearms legislation or exposure to firearms in a civilian context, have a problem with being the one with the signature on the piece of paper and the subsequent possible liability in the event of an accident. They believe, and I can't really blame them too much for it because I'd feel the same way, that if they have no idea of how the sport goes or what the firearms are capable of and probably don't know you from adam, that it's unfair to ask them to take on liability for something they've only ever seen through coverage of Dunblane or Hungerford on tabloid news channels...

    I agree in the sense that it is a straightforward process. I don't believe the Gardaí are afraid to issue FAC's. You apply for your licence, fit the criteria & get your licence, similar to a ticky box situation. If you don't meet the criteria you don't get your licence whether it be pulse information i.e drunkeness etc, pre/cons or cautions etc that disentitle you from holding one. That then is down to the Gardaí making reprsentations in court for the refusal.

    What should be addressed is that each Super seems to have a different approach to granting a FAC (from reading some peoples difficulties on previous posted threads on this forum) when there is one blanket rule for the application and issuing of a firearm certificate. This needs to be addressed in the interests of fairness to FAC holders.

    On Hungerford in 1987, well as tragic as it was, one cannot determine a persons state of mind & when Michael Ryans mind went pear shaped then it had an horrific consequence.

    On Dunblane in 1996, as far as I am aware, the local Constablary refused Thomas Hamiltons FAC but it was granted on appeal by a Magistrates court or the equivalent of a Scottish court. He was apparently a disturbed person who had an unhealthy interest in young boys & was a bitter person for whatever reason.

    There appears to be nothing in the legislation here for psychological testing for each FAC holder so in theory there is no reason why we shouldn't encounter a similar situation like the UK here in Ireland from a legally held FAC holder or a family member of a FAC holder, There are some isolated incidents that I am aware of.

    I would be firmly in favour of a mandatory gun cabinet order as part of the criteria to hold a FAC and the release of GP records with anything related to depression etc.

    Just my 2cents worth.

    TJ911...


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,096 ✭✭✭bunny shooter


    Only FAC holder should have access to firearms, ammo etc. security is to prevent all unauthorised access. If a legally held firearm is used by someone, even a family member, not holding an FAC the FAC holder is responsible


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,804 ✭✭✭recipio


    :mad: Its not just the gardai that are afraid of licenced guns, the politicians are also. Just look at the rediculous laws governing airguns brought in as a kneejerk reaction in 1972. Result, no dedicated airguns shops, no buying or selling freely, no FT or HFT , no collecting airguns as a hobby as all transactions go through the Super making it impossible. In effect they have outlawed a perfectly legimate hobby and the airgun leisure scene here is dead in the water. I'm not aware of any country in the E.U needing a licence for every airgun except us.( correct me if I am wrong )
    An example of political arrogance in my view.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,096 ✭✭✭bunny shooter


    recipio wrote:
    :mad: Its not just the gardai that are afraid of licenced guns, the politicians are also. Just look at the rediculous laws governing airguns brought in as a kneejerk reaction in 1972. Result, no dedicated airguns shops, no buying or selling freely, no FT or HFT , no collecting airguns as a hobby as all transactions go through the Super making it impossible. In effect they have outlawed a perfectly legimate hobby and the airgun leisure scene here is dead in the water. I'm not aware of any country in the E.U needing a licence for every airgun except us.( correct me if I am wrong )
    An example of political arrogance in my view.

    Extremely good point. I've lived in UK and they have a tremendous airgun scene as said FT & HFT. I used to do a bit of what was tantamount to HFT in the late 80's, springers (BSA Superstar I had, lovely rifle, and HW 77's were the popular rifles) and low power scopes, no pcp's then and it was great. The area required is small and ranges are small compared even to rimfire 22's. There were two local gun shops to me who were able to make a good living supplying the airgun scene. if I remember one was a dedicated airgun shop. Great pastime, relatively cheap, safety req's are easier to satisfy, over 17 no restrictions except if you had a criminal record, loads of clubs and a national and international competition scene.

    Think there are restrictions on the way there now ?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,194 ✭✭✭Trojan911


    recipio wrote:
    I'm not aware of any country in the E.U needing a licence for every airgun except us.( correct me if I am wrong )
    An example of political arrogance in my view.

    You are spot on there. There was also kneejerk reaction in the UK in '97 when the revokation of sec1 FAC's was brought in because of Dunblane.

    I also lived in the UK and my handguns were revoked during that period. I acknowledge the tragedy of Dunblane but I was aggreived by the punishment meeted out by the Government. We shooters felt, rightly so, that we had been tarred by the brush.

    TJ911...


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,096 ✭✭✭bunny shooter


    Trojan911 wrote:
    You are spot on there. There was also kneejerk reaction in the UK in '97 when the revokation of sec1 FAC's was brought in because of Dunblane.

    I also lived in the UK and my handguns were revoked during that period. I acknowledge the tragedy of Dunblane but I was aggreived by the punishment meeted out by the Government. We shooters felt, rightly so, that we had been tarred by the brush.

    TJ911...

    Hopefully same won't happen here in any shape or form


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 314 ✭✭Kryten


    alan123 wrote:
    So back to the thread then; can you blame the Guards for not wanting to issue licences when there is no sporting value to 9mm pistols in Ireland??

    A common misconception. Pistol shooting is still really in it's infancy here, but getting more popular and more structured. Pistol shoots, both full bore and rimfire are now being incorperated into National Shooting Calenders. Practical Pistol is a legitamite pistol target shooting discipline and is enjoyed by 32 nations (maybe more havent looked at the latest stats) worldwide.

    You also have the WA1500 which comprises events in both revolver and automatics, including 9mm.

    One of our members recently returned from the Jersey open with 5 medals for various pistol disciplines, including ISSF Centerfire pistol using a .38, also PP2 and service pistol B.

    So Legitimate target shooting use for 9mm pistols, certainly is!!!!!

    :D:D:D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 491 ✭✭alan123


    Understood. My firearms man tells me he has some complete headers looking for 9mm's. I think the main problem is picking out the good guys from the bad guys and some nutjobs can be very convincing about their genuine intrest in sport!

    As an aside, could a criminal/header buy a gun and store it at the clayground/range and shoot it only at the clayground/range without holding a licence? i.e can criminals go and practice legally?!!!


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 649 ✭✭✭sidneyreilly


    alan123 wrote:

    As an aside, could a criminal/header buy a gun and store it at the clayground/range and shoot it only at the clayground/range without holding a licence? i.e can criminals go and practice legally?!!!

    Unlikely. Owner/operators/club members are very wary of such things. We dont want our sport banned because of letting a header in!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 381 ✭✭les45


    With respect to RRPC and his or her observations on Practical Pistol , it is not a sport similar to Cowboys and Indians , it has no relationship whatsoever with firearms tactical training . The recent European IPSC Match was organised by the French Federation of Shooting , the French Federation represents all shooting disciplines in France including ISSF !!!. Why we are constantly berated in relation to Practical Shooting I simply do not know , many many Garda Districts have issued pistol permits for practical pistol shooting , some have not . In all cases where a IPSA member has applied for a second or third licence they have being issued . I would on behalf of the IPSC shooters living in Ireland ask that in future Cowboy and Indians , Military etc comments are kept to ones self . If the French Federation has accepted our sport as well as a number of other National Federations than ladies and gentlemen of the ISSF world maybe it is time that Ireland did the same . IPSC members living in Ireland are all licenced firearms holders , to compete in a IPSC approved match they most complete and pass a two day course , to become a Range Officer will take at least 18 months with a total of 100 Hrs formal tuition and at least 6 trips abroad to aquire the necessary match experience . We work very hard at developing our sport , if you care to comment then please come and visit a IPSC approved match we dont bite :D

    John FitzGerald RD I.P.S.A


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 154 ✭✭cantona


    Kryten, there are 80 fully paid up regions and 8 provisional regions in IPSC at present. At the recent Europeans there were shooters from 42 countries(not all of them European). Onwards and upwards


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 719 ✭✭✭V Bull


    I think if anyone is to make any kind of comment about a certain type of pistol shooting ie Practical Pistol, then they should know at least a little bit about.

    Obviously rrpc hasnt got a clue about Practical...............and probably doesnt want to know.

    Those interested in Practical Shooting and it's history of 30 years without an accident or incident should look up this websites with links..........www.ipsc.org..............www.ipscireland.org (still under construction).

    Well done to all of the Irish Squad who went to France last week.........


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,034 ✭✭✭astraboy


    Did anyone happen to see the article in the Sunday Times main section under the heading "Do not give the guardi guns, let alone our trigger happy citizens"? It was a usual comment/opinion piece, in fact the majority was regarding gun crime but the last couple of paragraphs used the usual lazy journalist logic of comparing the number of legally held firearms and gun crime, and then sprouted off some guff about the increase in handgun licenses and how people are being given greater rights to protect themselves in their homes! Now we all know 99% of people that go to the trouble of getting a legally licensed handgun are doing so for sport, practical or target shooting. I see absoutley no problem with this, but such poor journalism is going to give people a bad preception of handguns and their owners.

    An interesting stat, the state of Flordia found that handgun owners were the MOST law abiding group in the state. And Flordia gives out more permits to carry a concealed handgun then 48 of the states in the US. I am not for a moment say we adopt US gun laws, but it show that people that are willing to prove they are capable of safetly owning a firearm are not going to do anything to jepordise their hobby of shooting. The same applies in Ireland.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,230 ✭✭✭spideog7


    You can't really look to the past to justify the fact that you think Ireland's gun laws need to be less restrictive. Because to date we all have to go through the paper work and difficulty of going to get a cert. I think if things were relaxed a little then headers or nutters (as they have been refered to in this thread) will be able to get licenses more easily and cause the kind of problems which promote a complete ban. I think it is in everyone's interest to keep the restrictive availability of firearms.
    I do think that there should be a clearer set of guidelines to follow, but I also have faith in the Gardai and leaving it to their discretion is not the worst idea in the world. The Gardai in any area deal with alot of the people who are "not the full shilling" :p and definitely know most if not all of the criminals in that area, even if they can't pin anything on them. Imagine a criminal whose as guilty as sin but just hasn't been caught for anything yet, walking into a garda station and applying for a licence and the Gardai powerless to stop him.... because he has rights etc. etc.
    Relaxing laws can become a slippery slope and eventually might cause more problem's than it solves. Anyone who is really interested should not be afraid to jump through a few hoops to satisfy the powers that be.

    Sorry for going a bit off topic... yea I think Gardai need to be better trained on firearms and should be more aware of the types and capabilities and their applications/uses. Perhaps it would only be practical for a firearms officer to be this enlightened but even one per station or district would be a start.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 124 ✭✭Dark_lord_ire


    Most of you seem to overlook the fact that most rural crime is done by criminals looking for guns and even though people have a gun safe in the house. Are you going to say "i'm not giving you a key" to a guy with a knife to your neck in bed? Petty criminals would only be to delighted to get handguns, take a look at most armed raids, most are done with stolen shot guns. My thoughts on the matter All guns should be banned execpt for Military and Police, maybe for hunting but thats it nothing else.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,034 ✭✭✭astraboy


    Most of you seem to overlook the fact that most rural crime is done by criminals looking for guns and even though people have a gun safe in the house. Are you going to say "i'm not giving you a key" to a guy with a knife to your neck in bed? Petty criminals would only be to delighted to get handguns, take a look at most armed raids, most are done with stolen shot guns. My thoughts on the matter All guns should be banned execpt for Military and Police, maybe for hunting but thats it nothing else.
    What about target shooting, clay shooting etc. Thousands of people enjoy shooting every week in this country. To ban all firearms is a silly move and lets be honest, if a criminal can import a ton of coke on a yacht he can easily get his hands on an Uzi or two. Law abiding gun owners do not buy their guns to stroke them and keep people off their property, they do so to enjoy a sport that is too often the target of comments like yours. If we ban guns why not ban hurleys or knives as you can kill someone with those as well?:confused:

    @spideog7 I agree with most of what you say. I just wish for more clarity in our licensing system and to make it simpler for people to navigate. This whole thing of one super saying one thing is gospel and another super saying the opposite is silly and makes it more difficult for people to become genuine members of the sport.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,127 ✭✭✭BryanL


    most rural crime is done by criminals looking for guns

    did you pluck that from the sky or where did it come from?
    Bryan


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,070 ✭✭✭cavan shooter


    Dark Lord, to say that most rural crime is in relation to obtaining firearms, is untrue, most rural crime tends to focus on old people who are seen to have money "under the mattress", yes if they see a safe and they persumably can get it off the wall they'll take it. Thankfully holding families hostage to obtain items in a house is very rare and considering that most firearm holders have panic alarms fitted with there alarms it doesn't make sense.

    As for Banning Guns Why......?
    I really want to know how many legally held firearms have been used in robberies. People have been robbed with sharpened philips screwdrivers,syringes, kitchen knives, lumps of wood. The point I am making is that if you are intent on doing harm there is readily available weapons without doing your back in lifting someones safe.

    I keep saying that the most appropriate way of controlling firearms exists already in legislation. A person is allowed to have a fire arm if they have good reason. Credit card style licencing with bar code that allows to keep track on the ammunition you buy very quickly it becomes clear whether you are using the firearm or it sits under the bed.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 59 ✭✭Saddlebags


    Trojan911 wrote:
    I agree in the sense that it is a straightforward process. I don't believe the Gardaí are afraid to issue FAC's. You apply for your licence, fit the criteria & get your licence, similar to a ticky box situation. If you don't meet the criteria you don't get your licence whether it be pulse information i.e drunkeness etc, pre/cons or cautions etc that disentitle you from holding one. That then is down to the Gardaí making reprsentations in court for the refusal.

    TJ911...

    Only in the ideal world, believe me!
    What about when you tick all the boxes and are STILL refused?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 491 ✭✭alan123


    Saddlebags wrote:
    Only in the ideal world, believe me!
    What about when you tick all the boxes and are STILL refused?

    Dont wear a t-shirt that says "Im Elmur Fudd on cocaine"!!!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 198 ✭✭SMERSH


    Saddlebags wrote:
    Only in the ideal world, believe me!
    What about when you tick all the boxes and are STILL refused?
    Move away from Kilkenny! :D (I know that it is not possible)

    I was talking to another .223 owner recently who was surrendering his pride and joy as he could not get his FAC renewed. Very sad indeed. :(


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,096 ✭✭✭bunny shooter


    SMERSH wrote:
    Move away from Kilkenny! :D (I know that it is not possible)

    I was talking to another .223 owner recently who was surrendering his pride and joy as he could not get his FAC renewed. Very sad indeed. :(

    Why couldn't he renew FAC ?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 198 ✭✭SMERSH


    The person could not get his FAC renewed for his .223 beacuse the super in Kilkenny is such a nice guy and he wants to protect us from ourseleves. :mad:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,194 ✭✭✭Trojan911


    Saddlebags wrote:
    Only in the ideal world, believe me!
    What about when you tick all the boxes and are STILL refused?

    What's the issue?

    TJ911...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 491 ✭✭alan123


    SMERSH wrote:
    Move away from Kilkenny! :D (I know that it is not possible)

    I was talking to another .223 owner recently who was surrendering his pride and joy as he could not get his FAC renewed. Very sad indeed. :(

    Once initially granted I would imagine he cant refuse renewal (unless you have done something untoward in the interim!!)?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 40,038 ✭✭✭✭Sparks


    Well, technically no, a superintendent can refuse or revoke a cert at any time given reason (and that reason might not be related to the licencee). He does have to give that reason though.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 59 ✭✭Saddlebags


    alan123 wrote:
    Once initially granted I would imagine he cant refuse renewal (unless you have done something untoward in the interim!!)?

    Heard about this one too. I believe that the licence for the .223 was initially amended from a .22 and when it surfaced for renewal it was refused.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 29,473 ✭✭✭✭Our man in Havana


    Are you saying that there was never such a thing as a .223 licence to begin with?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,096 ✭✭✭bunny shooter


    Bond-007 wrote:
    Are you saying that there was never such a thing as a .223 licence to begin with?

    You have to reappy for a new licence, down our way anyway


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