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Night vision sight thoughts

  • 17-03-2024 05:57PM
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,217 ✭✭✭


    Please give me your opinions on these thoughts.

    1. So now you need a restricted license for a night vision sight, BUT you don't get a licence for that sight, WHY?

    2. So you pay the €80 fee for a sight restricted license but cannot use it on all your firearms, WHY?

    3. Is it just me? Or are we all getting rode again over the night vision law?



Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 319 ✭✭keith s


    1- You do get a license. States the make model and serial number. Even says, max rounds =0


    2 - Autherization was /is for named rifles and had SE on each rifle licence you are autherized to use NV/Thermal add-ons with. With a stand alone restricted licence, you are allowed have / use NV /Thermal scope. You are also licensed to have/use any rifle you have a licence for....!

    3 - Not just you.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,404 ✭✭✭1874


    So, you cant just own an NV/Thermal/IR sight now? ie I have historically had SE on one licence. I can't recal when it went on there, either I checked a box years ago or they did when I had a renewal in case I owned one in the follow up to the fuff up when this was introduced, as I definitely also had S on this rifle licence from the initial application from years ago).

    Can I own a NV sight on its own? I thought you could but that it only became a problem if fitted to a rifle. Have any rights been grandfathered in if this (SE) was on your licence from years ago, as I thought I had something else marked on the licences previously



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 40,607 ✭✭✭✭Mellor


    1. Do you mean you don't get a physical license, or that you can't get you license through a local super? If the former, my understanding it that you do get a license.
    2. What do you mean cannot use it on all your firearms? If you have a NV license for the purpose of fox control, you should be able to use it for any firearm that you would use for that. Obviously, might be be ok to stick it on a comp pistol.
    3. The only difference should be the license requirement is being enforced, usage should not ability/situation change compared to the authorisation system. However, emphasis on should. Your mileage may vary.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 40,607 ✭✭✭✭Mellor


    It's been a legal requirement for ~15 years. Only just enforced more stringently recently. The SE authorisation on a license is much more recent than that so unlikely that you could use that authorisation to claim a right to NV/IR license being grandfathered. Could certainly include is as part of the application though.

    You can have a handheld night vision monocular/telescope without issue. The requirement specifically applies to a NV/IR sight, designed to be fitted to a firearm.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2 Galwayhunter


    If lads are already in possession of a NV scope and applying for licence with FCA1, what do you put down in the "source of firearm" section?

    Do you have to hand it in to dealer and get a docket as if you were buying it from him?



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 45 Jim3592


    You have to hand in unit to firearms dealer if you go looking for licence. I applied for the licence trying to do the right thing and had to hand in during the busiest time for year for foxing as sheep are lambing.On the FAC1 form,it doesn't ask what gun it is attached to so I would imagine that it could be swapped around between different guns.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5 Tikkat3xEire


    I own a Pard which I haven’t used in years , bought it back in 2017 /2018 I’d say . I want to go and get it licensed now as I intend on using it for foxing again . What would I need to do hand it into a RFD or explain I own it years? It was sourced privately in the uk so no private source details even



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 466 ✭✭Czhornet


    Why would you have to hand it back?, you own it already, all you need is the pulse number of the dealer you got it from.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 45 Jim3592


    because it now requires a license and because I applied for the licence they knew I already had it in my possession.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 45 Jim3592


    I was told today that I need to get written permission from all the farmers I shoot and have their land address attached to the night vision application.



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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 404 ✭✭john_aero


    Sorry to re open an old thread, just be clear in my own head. I have seen a new scope i want to use on my .22 for rabbit shooting. it is the scope below.

    Arken Optics UK

    Do i apply for a separate restricted license for this scope and list the rifle s/n or s/n's on my new scope license

    or

    At /22lr renewal send in my renewal with the scope added to the application and change it to a restricted .22 rifle with a scope

    UPDATE

    Just got a call back from FAO in my area, asked the 2 questions above, he said no issues just apply as would for any firearm, select restricted, they will send it directly in to Chief Super above them in the main garda station (henry st. in limerick) .They will give you a call to discuss reasoning for the restricted application. Said once have a genuine reason and have good past standing there wouldn't be an issue. said the "restricted" part just adds a higher level of checks however for scopes its not seen as a huge issue.

    The only item i never got clarity on was if i buy one what do i do until license if issues. These can be bough off the shelf here and in EU. So i need to buy one, get the S/N but i don't have a pulse number for the seller as these are available license free in the airsoft community in Ire and EU

    Post edited by john_aero on


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,328 ✭✭✭✭Grizzly 45


     as these are available license free in the airsoft community in Ire and EU

    Another "whoopsie" of a hasty Irish Govt minister and AGS rush to legislate a problem away.

    So you now have unliscensed people with no back round checks holding "restricted firearms" free to do if they wanted to genuine "combat training" and military drill.

    Only in Ireland.

    So i need to buy one, get the S/N but i don't have a pulse number for the seller 

    Just put down the details of what you have on the scope and add a note that this is a non firearms dealer in the UK.Proably need a DOJ issued import cert too,as these are classified as "restricted firearms". Put a downer on that particular model and specific serial number,pending your liscense issue.Pay balance and import once you have the liscense.

    Henry st,is good to deal with, i'ts my Div stn too,and both the Chief and Supt are good,experianced,competent and easy to work with. Even the FO knows her stuff,so they will see you right with the info you have.

    "If you want to keep someone away from your house, Just fire the shotgun through the door."

    Vice President [and former lawyer] Joe Biden Field& Stream Magazine interview Feb 2013 "



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 404 ✭✭john_aero


    Yes i have had good experiences last few years with them, they are very practical. There used be one FO a number years back who hadn't a clue and was a bit anti fire arms. Abbeyfeale has x2 working as on applications so least they are proactive and getting the work done.

    I might see if i can buy the scope on sale and maybe ask Dealer to hold it for me. Reason is price here in Ireland for these style scopes is very high compared EU online retailers.



  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 1,956 Mod ✭✭✭✭otmmyboy2


    Lads, any rifle scope which falls under the nv/thermal legislation requires a restricted licence, regardless of whether it is for airsoft, real shooting, display, etc.

    So anyone in the airsoft community in Ireland who has one of these devices in fact has an unlicenced restricted firearm, and always has done since the nv/thermal law came in back in 2006 IIRC.
    Before it was treated as a non restricted firearm, now as a restricted firearm, but it always required a cert or authorisation.

    As for purchasing one from the EU you would need to get a serial number from the seller(EU or otherwise), apply for a restricted licence for it, on grant of the licence supply a front and back of the licence to the DoJ along with an import permit application and then import it when you get that permit back.
    Other EU countries also can regulate the NV/thermal sight so it is important to know whether the sender also needs an export permit, or if the item is even exportable(some NV devices are ITAR items and are not exportable to a 3rd country without prior approval from the US gov for example).

    Never forget, the end goal is zero firearms of any type.

    S.I. No. 187/1972 - Firearms (Temporary Custody) Order - Firearms seized

    S.I. No. 21/2008 - Firearms (Restricted Firearms and Ammunition) Order 2008 - Firearm types restricted

    Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 - Firearms banned & grandfathered

    S.I. No. 420/2019 - Magazine ban, ammo storage & transport restricted

    Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023 - 2023 Firearm Ban (retroactive to 8 years prior)



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,328 ✭✭✭✭Grizzly 45


    Lads, any rifle scope which falls under the nv/thermal legislation requires a restricted licence, regardless of whether it is for airsoft, real shooting, display, etc.

    So anyone in the airsoft community in Ireland who has one of these devices in fact has an unlicenced restricted firearm, and always has done since the nv/thermal law came in back in 2006 IIRC.

    Before it was treated as a non restricted firearm, now as a restricted firearm, but it always required a cert or authorisation.

    True,but how many airsofters will know this?They are a seperate community to us and in some cases downright hostile to the live firearms community,same as some re enactors,couldn't be told that their blankfiring semi and full autos would be looking at the chop under the EU legislation post the Paris attacks…

    Same as still today Stag and Hen parties are risking 5 year jail terms and a 50 k fine for going off to shoot paintball matches with "restricted firearms" because of their mechanism and calibers. With said same firearms being held on a group liscense.Yet you and me cant swop our restricted big cal pistols to try a shot on an enclosed range and we are vetted and liscensed to own and use restricted firearms…"Sparks" pointed out this analomy nigh on 15 years ago to the Dail public inquiry and it is still not corrected. Rush to legislate a problem away usually never works and ends up crating more problems than it solves.

    As for purchasing one from the EU you would need to get a serial number from the seller(EU or otherwise), apply for a restricted licence for it, on grant of the licence supply a front and back of the licence to the DoJ along with an import permit application and then import it when you get that permit back.

    OR

    Have a chat with your local restricted gun dealer and ask if he would hold the device pending AGS liscensing. Get the above required details.Apply for an import cert from DOJ and put down the dealers address for delivery.Mail a copy of the import cert to the supplier to be included with the shipping documents for customs inspection and a hassle free life,wait for AGS liscensing. Perfectly legal and can be done,as I did it with a rifle last year from France..However if it is from the UK which is not EU,Cevat Emptor,as it might also require a UK Home office export cert,and have fun dealing with that particular HM office

    Other EU countries also can regulate the NV/thermal sight so it is important to know whether the sender also needs an export permit, or if the item is even exportable(some NV devices are ITAR items and are not exportable to a 3rd country without prior approval from the US gov for example).

    Germany being one… YET you can rock up in the shop ,plonk down your cash or card and buy it straightaway and be on your way after giving a German address and some ID,maybe.As it is an optical instrument and not a firearm. Funny ol world.

    "If you want to keep someone away from your house, Just fire the shotgun through the door."

    Vice President [and former lawyer] Joe Biden Field& Stream Magazine interview Feb 2013 "



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 404 ✭✭john_aero


    My opinion on buying one will be just to do as said above, my local RFD can store it and have them taken delivery while i wait. They don't have any issues with me doing this, and apply for the import paperwork.

    While I am doing this at present for my pistol, just seems like the really messed up with the NV gear. Right or wrong it still mad that some Irish airsoft shops have these in stock so they didn't have worry about importing license and still got it.



  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 1,956 Mod ✭✭✭✭otmmyboy2


    True,but how many airsofters will know this?

    Probably not a lot, but then how many shooters here would say they have a good knowledge of the firearms laws that directly affect them. 😉
    I've encountered several who though a firearms cert basically entitled them to hunt anywhere they fancied, permission/insurance/landowners/law bedamned 😂


    Any shop which doesn't hold a restricted rfd permit which does that did so illegally, so yeah I wouldn't want to be them when/if the ptb drop in.
    Similarly since the status restriction on nv/thermal how many non restricted dealers have nv/thermal in their shops without having the restricted permit allowed to buy/sell/import them… Likely a sizeable number and most unaware of the sticky legalities which too apply to them.

    It's a mess as usual, and the lowest level(us normal shooters) are left to deal with the consequences of it.

    Never forget, the end goal is zero firearms of any type.

    S.I. No. 187/1972 - Firearms (Temporary Custody) Order - Firearms seized

    S.I. No. 21/2008 - Firearms (Restricted Firearms and Ammunition) Order 2008 - Firearm types restricted

    Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 - Firearms banned & grandfathered

    S.I. No. 420/2019 - Magazine ban, ammo storage & transport restricted

    Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023 - 2023 Firearm Ban (retroactive to 8 years prior)



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 3,779 ✭✭✭Kat1170


    Where would all this leave thermal spotters like the Swarovski tM35+ that can be clipped onto a normal scope.

    Do they turn any scope they're on into a restricted firearm or are they still just two separate items that just happen to work together as well as independently.

    Edit. I'm sure there are other similar ones to that quite expensive Swarovski one I mentioned I just happened across that one on YT



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,985 ✭✭✭Feisar


    The barstool knowledge around firearms is comical at times.

    First they came for the socialists...



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,328 ✭✭✭✭Grizzly 45


    image.png

    Change the above to , Clip on front of scope " Unliscensed Restricted firearm" Clip off front of scope [within literally +/-4 seconds]"Thermal hand held spotter legal",and repeat.

    Again technology surged past legislation. So yeah,if you want to use it as a thermal unit on a scope its a "restricted firearm" ,and otherwise a perfectly legal no liscense necessary hand held unit. Go figure.

    "If you want to keep someone away from your house, Just fire the shotgun through the door."

    Vice President [and former lawyer] Joe Biden Field& Stream Magazine interview Feb 2013 "



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