Why firearms are so strictly controlled in Ireland and UK

blindside88 · 22-01-2017 06:37PM

BattleCorp wrote: »

The amount of ignorance regarding guns here is staggering.

Guns are allowed in Ireland if you have a lawful reason to have one. Target shooting, hunting and vermin control are lawful reasons. Self defence is not a lawful reason to have one.

.22 handguns are allowed for target shooting. Some people have larger calibre handguns for target shooting but there are have been no new licences for those issued since November 2008.

There are over 200k guns in civilian ownership here in Ireland, the ownership of which is highly regulated.

Target shooting at ranges is actually one of the safest sports that you can do. The notion that gun owners are wannabe Rambo's is very far from the truth. Anybody with a rifle or handgun is legally obliged to keep them in a safe when not in use.

We don't have a problem here with legal guns. The problem is illegal guns in the hands of scumbags.

Unfortunately, people who don't know much about guns tar law abiding gun owners with the same brush as criminal scumbags.

Excellent ppat, wish I could thank it more than once. The level of ignorance is staggering

MRnotlob606 · 22-01-2017 06:40PM

suicide_circus wrote: »

We need mother state to make all our decisions for us

I don't understand why there's such big demand for guns, if you're not a hunter or farmer why have one?

I know people say protection, but I don't buy that, if everyone has guns than were all a lot worse off.

Johnboner · 22-01-2017 06:43PM

MRnotlob606 wrote: »

I don't understand why there's such big demand for guns, if you're not a hunter or farmer why have one?

I know people say protection, but I don't buy that, if everyone has guns than were all a lot worse off.

Mmmmmmm, I can smell ignorance.

You realise not everyone owns guns in countries where it is legal? I would like to have one because I enjoy shooting targets just like someone enjoys playing football and no I cannot have one in Ireland. I would love to own a glock or ar 15 but it is not possible unless you emigrate to one of the continental European countries.

Shenshen · 22-01-2017 06:57PM

Johnboner wrote: »

Mmmmmmm, I can smell ignorance.

You realise not everyone owns guns in countries where it is legal? I would like to have one because I enjoy shooting targets just like someone enjoys playing football and no I cannot have one in Ireland. I would love to own a glock or ar 15 but it is not possible unless you emigrate to one of the continental European countries.

I'd love to own a snow leopard, but you know, they just won't let me here. I'd have to emigrate to somewhere like Qatar.

corner of hells · 22-01-2017 06:58PM

Johnboner wrote: »

MRnotlob606 wrote: »

I don't understand why there's such big demand for guns, if you're not a hunter or farmer why have one?

I know people say protection, but I don't buy that, if everyone has guns than were all a lot worse off.

Mmmmmmm, I can smell ignorance.

You realise not everyone owns guns in countries where it is legal? I would like to have one because I enjoy shooting targets just like someone enjoys playing football and no I cannot have one in Ireland. I would love to own a glock or ar 15 but it is not possible unless you emigrate to one of the continental European countries.

Why not apply for licence , maybe join a club or get permission from a landowner to do a little hunting.
It's years since I first applied for a licence and there's been a few changes in regulations , Gardai are little bit more involved now.
See how you get on.

AnGaelach · 22-01-2017 07:00PM

wakka12 wrote: »

Regardless of purpose, guns can still kill people. It doesn't matter what theyre being used for there are always still accidents with guns, how many toddlers accidentally shoot their little siblings with recreational guns in the US annually

Yeah, because that's exactly what we're calling for, morons to be given licenses to have handguns and for them to let their toddlers get them.

Stop trying to deal in whataboutery and strawmanning, please. Have a grown up discussion about firearms instead of just crying the victim.

AnGaelach · 22-01-2017 07:04PM

MRnotlob606 wrote: »

I don't understand why there's such big demand for guns, if you're not a hunter or farmer why have one?

Because your fear of a gun does not negate my interest in them. A gun is a tool, and a tool can be used in every which way you want to use it. Simply "not understanding" something isn't reason for you to want to ban it.

WoolyJumper · 22-01-2017 07:07PM

Wouldn't be my idea of fun but I don't see any issue with target shooting in a controlled environment (which I believe is available in Ireland)

I like our gun laws. We have very low gun crime here and no history of mass shootings. I don't see the need for the average joe to have a gun in their home. If you get your jollies from shooting a cardboard man or a piece of fruit, fine but do it in the safety of a shooting range.

A bunch of lads shooting a tin of beans down the back of a council estate while Jacinta is on the other side of the wall tanning her knockers might be a tad dangerous.

22-01-2017 07:10PM

Johnboner wrote: »

Mmmmmmm, I can smell ignorance.

You realise not everyone owns guns in countries where it is legal? I would like to have one because I enjoy shooting targets just like someone enjoys playing football and no I cannot have one in Ireland. I would love to own a glock or ar 15 but it is not possible unless you emigrate to one of the continental European countries.

So why can't you have one johnny?

MRnotlob606 · 22-01-2017 07:14PM

Johnboner wrote: »

Mmmmmmm, I can smell ignorance.

You realise not everyone owns guns in countries where it is legal? I would like to have one because I enjoy shooting targets just like someone enjoys playing football and no I cannot have one in Ireland. I would love to own a glock or ar 15 but it is not possible unless you emigrate to one of the continental European countries.

Care to elaborate where the ignorance is? Shooting targets with a glock 15 is a lot different than shooting a leather football in the back of a net.

MRnotlob606 · 22-01-2017 07:17PM

AnGaelach wrote: »

Because your fear of a gun does not negate my interest in them. A gun is a tool, and a tool can be used in every which way you want to use it. Simply "not understanding" something isn't reason for you to want to ban it.

I understand guns, I've fired guns, , Come from a hunting family. I just think they are deadly dangerous to have, even my father knew it after having guns all his life. I don't think having an interest in them is a sufficient reason to relax gun laws.

eeguy · 22-01-2017 07:22PM

Johnboner wrote: »

Mmmmmmm, I can smell ignorance.

You realise not everyone owns guns in countries where it is legal? I would like to have one because I enjoy shooting targets just like someone enjoys playing football and no I cannot have one in Ireland. I would love to own a glock or ar 15 but it is not possible unless you emigrate to one of the continental European countries.

The fact that you think owning a football and owning an AR15 is comparable should exclude you from ever owning a gun.

I probably wouldn't trust you with a football either:pac:

BattleCorp · 22-01-2017 09:30PM

MRnotlob606 wrote: »

Care to elaborate where the ignorance is? Shooting targets with a glock 15 is a lot different than shooting a leather football in the back of a net.

Actually there's not much difference between the two examples that you gave. Both are sports with their own set of rules and regulations.

You see football boots as sporting equipment. I see a rifle or pistol as sporting equipment.

BattleCorp · 22-01-2017 09:33PM

Johnboner wrote: »

I cannot have one in Ireland. I would love to own a glock or ar 15 but it is not possible unless you emigrate to one of the continental European countries.

There are several AR15's licenced in Ireland. They are restricted though. That means that you have to apply to a Chief Superintendent and convince him/her why you need one. They are difficult to licence but they aren't banned.

Johnboner · 22-01-2017 09:37PM

BattleCorp wrote: »

There are several AR15's licenced in Ireland. They are restricted though. That means that you have to apply to a Chief Superintendent and convince him/her why you need one. They are difficult to licence but they aren't banned.

By that you mean be friends with the chief superintendent. Living in an urban area there is no chance.

Johnboner · 22-01-2017 09:39PM

bubblypop wrote: »

So why can't you have one johnny?

Cause i'm a mother****ing starboy

AndyBoBandy · 22-01-2017 09:41PM

Johnboner wrote: »

Cause i'm a mother****ing starboy

Maybe they'll let you have one, but only at the weeknd?

Johnboner · 22-01-2017 09:46PM

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

Maybe they'll let you have one, but only at the weeknd?

That would be amazing but the chance of that happening is same as the chance of northern Ireland ever joining the republic which is 0 as our government just bans everything not the other way around.

darkpagandeath · 22-01-2017 09:48PM

BattleCorp wrote: »

The amount of ignorance regarding guns here is staggering.

Guns are allowed in Ireland if you have a lawful reason to have one. Target shooting, hunting and vermin control are lawful reasons. Self defence is not a lawful reason to have one.

.22 handguns are allowed for target shooting. Some people have larger calibre handguns for target shooting but there are have been no new licences for those issued since November 2008.

There are over 200k guns in civilian ownership here in Ireland, the ownership of which is highly regulated.

Target shooting at ranges is actually one of the safest sports that you can do. The notion that gun owners are wannabe Rambo's is very far from the truth. Anybody with a rifle or handgun is legally obliged to keep them in a safe when not in use.

We don't have a problem here with legal guns. The problem is illegal guns in the hands of scumbags.

Unfortunately, people who don't know much about guns tar law abiding gun owners with the same brush as criminal scumbags.

True but USA has the problem of legal guns in the hands of Scumbags.

BattleCorp · 22-01-2017 09:56PM

Johnboner wrote: »

By that you mean be friends with the chief superintendent. Living in an urban area there is no chance.

Yep, you'd want to be on very friendly terms with your Chief alright. ☺

Living in an urban area would make no difference. Unless it was a very high crime area.

BattleCorp · 22-01-2017 09:57PM

darkpagandeath wrote: »

True but USA has the problem of legal guns in the hands of Scumbags.

Agreed. But this thread is about here in Ireland.

Thankfully we don't have the problems they have over there.

BattleCorp · 22-01-2017 09:59PM

Johnboner wrote: »

That would be amazing but the chance of that happening is same as the chance of northern Ireland ever joining the republic which is 0 as our government just bans everything not the other way around.

Funny enough but large calibre handguns that are restricted here in the Republic are allowed in Northern Ireland.

Little CuChulainn · 22-01-2017 10:08PM

BattleCorp wrote: »

Yep, you'd want to be on very friendly terms with your Chief alright. ☺

Living in an urban area would make no difference. Unless it was a very high crime area.

Chiefs tend to know very few people in the area they cover. They are promoted from outside it and don't remain there very long.

kildare lad · 22-01-2017 10:14PM

the gun laws in ireland are fine. Two of my friends own firearms legally. They had to go through vetting and get character references. Its not that difficult unless you've got a criminal record. I hate to see american style gun laws in Ireland. For one the suicide death rate would skyrocket here.

22-01-2017 10:18PM

Johnboner wrote: »

That would be amazing but the chance of that happening is same as the chance of northern Ireland ever joining the republic which is 0 as our government just bans everything not the other way around.

Firearms are not banned.
You can get a firearms licence so long as you are vetted

BattleCorp · 22-01-2017 10:34PM

kildare lad wrote: »

the gun laws in ireland are fine.

While I mostly agree that our gun laws aren't bad, there are still lots of problems. It's illegal to do target shooting outside of an authorised range so if a hunter tries to zero his rifle in a field, he is breaking the law. And zeroing is essential for accuracy and therefore safety.

Another problem is that you are only allowed 5 bullets in a handgun while most international comps are shot in strings of 6.

Also, guns can be restricted based on appearance rather than function.

Banning reloading also puts our target shooters at a disadvantage against the UK and the US in international competitions.

But yeah, I wouldn't want a US style system here either.

Hector Bellend · 22-01-2017 11:02PM

Its all about guns and sh1t

22-01-2017 11:06PM

If we can justify unnecessarily giving people firearms to kill animals for "fun" and think that's okay than why not have guns on demand. I would personally prefer to see guns being accessed for protection than for "sport"

m5ex9oqjawdg2i · 22-01-2017 11:12PM

Johnboner wrote: »

Should be relaxed, let's take a look at our European friends such as Germany and Switzerland, soldiers after serving get to keep their firearms at their homes in Switzerland and it is one of the safest countries in the world. In Germany the rules are strict but it is still possible to own a firearm after all the tests. These are only 2 examples but most other European countries have similar rules where it is actually possible to obtain a firearm. I am not talking about the system like in the USA where in many states you just enter a shop like centra, choose a gun you want and walk out. I would love to be able to shoot watermelons if I want with guns as I find that it is one of the most fun activities you can do which is unfortunately illegal in Ireland, it mostly prevents law abiding citizens from obtaining guns as you can see that it doesn't stop constant gang shootings in Dublin with illegaly obtained firearms.
Also why do we copy everything just from the UK?

Is shooting watermelons illegal? That's an odd law.

I think you might be a little misinformed OP. It's a pain in the ass to get a gun in Germany. You need to study and sit an exam and the fail rate is high. However, if you do get your permit, you can get a wide selection of firearms.

Outlaw Pete · 22-01-2017 11:16PM

Shootings like this might be a reason:

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-38712776

Why firearms are so strictly controlled in Ireland and UK

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