Firearm competency cert?

Mr.Woodcock

Hi lads was just reading threw the treads there and seen one lad talkin bout competency certs, i didnt need one for the double barel as it was not necessary at the time, but ill be putin a appliction for the rifle in a weeks time(hopefully). do i need one for a rifle? and where can i apply to do one?

Remmie 223

Mr.Woodcock wrote: »

Hi lads was just reading threw the treads there and seen one lad talkin bout competency certs, i didnt need one for the double barel as it was not necessary at the time, but ill be putin a appliction for the rifle in a weeks time(hopefully). do i need one for a rifle? and where can i apply to do one?

I was in the f.c.a in my late teens & early twenties. This was enough to satisfy my local sergeant. I don't know if it should have because I remember some lads that were in it with me, I would not let near a gun

Sparks

There's no legal need for a competency cert. There is legal need for proof of competency, but a cert is not the only way to provide that proof (it's just an assumption we tend to make because for a beginner, taking a course is usually a good way to go). The Commissioner's Guidelines even make the point:

Proof of competence in the use of the firearm or ammunition which is subject of the application - depending on the circumstances of each case, an individual who has already possessed a certificate (without any convictions under the Firearms Act, 1925-2009) for a period of a minimum of 1 year may be considered to have fulfilled the proof of competency. First time applicants for firearms certificates may demonstrate that they have acquired a degree of competency in the use of firearms by satisfying the issuing person of having attended a firearms training course, or of having joined an authorised rifle or pistol club or range for the purpose of gaining competency in firearms use, or having previously been granted a firearms training certificate.

An issuing person tasked with considering whether or not to grant a firearms certificate to an individual, must be satisfied that public safety is never compromised when making these decisions. Issuing persons should however bear in mind that the Act only requires proof of competency. Proof of proficiency in using a firearm, such as expertise in target shooting etc, is not necessary when considering proof of competence.

Cass

Mr.Woodcock wrote: »

............... do i need one for a rifle? and where can i apply to do one?

Yes.

Unless you have held a license for a particular type of firearm beforehand then you will most likely, almost definitely, be required to complete a competency course. It doesn't apply if you have say a .223 and want a .308, but if you have never held a rifle license before them you will need to do one.

The MNSCI hold one on the first/last Saturday of every month. You can get the contact details from their website. Their course includes one years insurance upon successful completion, and runs for about 2 hours or so.

Vegeta

Mr.Woodcock wrote: »

do i need one for a rifle?

Only your local Superintendent can answer that question as it is him you have to satisfy.

If you've observed friends and mentors using rifles for years then he may already be satisfied. Even if you have years experience there is a very strong chance he will still ask for more proof or completion of a safety course. I'd imagine a lot of the ranges run this type of thing and they'll probably chime in soon.

Sparks

*ha*
No wonder we need a legal restatement of the Firearms Acts - all three of those conflicting posts are all correct
There's nothing in the Act that says you need a competency cert, just proof of competency (and a cert is just one route to that). But if your local superintendent says "go do this course", you have to go do that course. He's allowed to set individual preconditions to your licence, that's also in the law, both case and (IIRC) statute law. And yes, it's only your local super who can answer that

Cass

Sparks wrote: »

................. - all three of those conflicting posts are all correct

Bit of a joke.

Problem here is in my district the minute a lad/lady wants a firearms they have not had a license for before the first words out of the Gard'a mouth is competency course. Yet in other districts experiecne with a qualified shooter suffices.

Problem then arises as to what constitutes a person as an "experienced" shooter. Is it 5 years, 10, 20?

The cert provides the Gardai with the "easiest" solution, and i say easiest as none of the courses ran by any organisation (AFAIK) carry a Garda seal of approval.

Mr.Woodcock

Right sure it cant hurt to have it done so might aswell! i checked out the one in offaly but does any one know of a place doin these in the meath area?

Arcto

Remmie 223 wrote: »

I was in the f.c.a in my late teens & early twenties. This was enough to satisfy my local sergeant. I don't know if it should have because I remember some lads that were in it with me, I would not let near a gun

Same here. Outlined what was involved with a pre fire (stand before an Lt. and go through drills) then I also went through the safety stuff I had to do in Australia to fire on a pistol range.

Seemed good enough....although I managed to get nearly 3/4 of an A4 in standard font out of that, hahaha