Ruger target lite

aidan.mcintyre · 19-03-2021 9:14pm #1

My local firearms officer is refusing to allow me to licence a new ruger target lite for my sons 18th birthday saying the barrel is too short. The gun is completely standard and is in stock with the distributor, it has a 16.13 inch barrel. As far as I know most of the Ruger 10/22s have this. Is this guy nuts or is this the law.

cookimonster · 19-03-2021 9:50pm

The Act -
http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2006/act/26/section/65/enacted/en/html

This may be a grey area or not as the act talks about 'modified' barrel length' either the act of doing so or possession. But in this case the rifle barrel is not modified but a manufacturer design, factory stock in its dimensions.

I remember that there was talk about this before in relation to someone taking a test case for the likes of your situation as there are many companies who produce short barrelled rifles.

You could use the above section to politely argue your case differentiating between modified and factory stock.

tudderone · 19-03-2021 10:32pm

Your local fo has no power to grant or refuse sfa. Tell him to process the application and if the Super refuses it, fine, get it in writing and head to the district court.

zeissman · 19-03-2021 10:52pm

tudderone wrote: »

Your local fo has no power to grant or refuse sfa. Tell him to process the application and if the Super refuses it, fine, get it in writing and head to the district court.

I just bought a new tikka 22lr and the local officer who checks gun security did ask me the barrel length stating that anything less than 50 cm was illegal .
Mine is OK as I bought the 20in model

tudderone · 20-03-2021 1:35am

Whats the maximum length of a pistol barrel ? Isn't there a certain length thats too short for a rifle licence and to long for a pistol licence ? A barrel length no-mans-land ? There has to be a rational solution, a muzzle brake threaded on and pinned to take it over 20".

clivej · 20-03-2021 7:21am

Best to ask that FO to show you the relevant firearms section that states, what he is saying. And then tell him to process your application as you are within the limits.
I think anything under 12" is a short firearm, a handgun. I've seen 10/22 with a 12.5", 14",and the usual 16" barrels and up.

Mellor · 20-03-2021 8:25am

tudderone wrote: »

Whats the maximum length of a pistol barrel ? Isn't there a certain length thats too short for a rifle licence and to long for a pistol licence ? A barrel length no-mans-land ? There has to be a rational solution, a muzzle brake threaded on and pinned to take it over 20".

In the restricted firearms SI;
Short firearm is a barrel under 30cm or overall length under 60cm.

Everything else is a long firearm.
Shotguns are the only long firearm with a barrel length restriction. 24”/61cm.
A 16” barrel on a rifle is 100% not restricted.
If this were a CF rifle, it would be too short overall. But not such limit applies to RF.

The restricted SI isn’t the be-all-end-all of what you can license. But the shotgun length is important when comparing to the firearms act.

Section 65 of the Act outlines that it’s an offence to shorten a rifle under 50cm or a shotgun under 61cm. The act of shortening is illegal. This does not apply here as we are dealing with a stock barrel.
This is to prevent people modifying a firearm after it has been licensed.

Note the restricted length of a shotgun in the SI is the same as the above. Clearly a conscious effort was made to restrict shotgun shorter than this length. The same was not applied to rifles.
If these ruin 65 implied that those were the legal limits, then there would be no need to include the 61cm shotgun restriction in the SI. Therefore they are demonstratably not a legal limit.

Subsection 5 also makes it an offence to possess a firearm under these limits without good reason or
lawful authority. A firearms license is lawful authority. So that section does not apply either.
It also mentions that a register dealer can posses without reason or lawful authority - why would a dealer be permitted or need to possess a firearm that can’t be licensed? Again, because they can actually be licensed.

It’s a easy mistake to make to be fair. But go in with a cool head and lay it all out and it will hopefully resolve.

(Hopefully I haven’t missed some other section that creates a limit)

cookimonster · 20-03-2021 9:38am

Mellor wrote: »

Subsection 5 also makes it an offence to possess a firearm under these limits without good reason or
lawful authority. A firearms license is lawful authority. So that section does not apply either.

I would assume that this is a belt and braces approach, covering the eventuality of a pre exsisting licenced firearm being altered in its barrel lenght. Then it could be construed that the licence is no longer vaild as it was issued on the particulars of that firearm in its orginal configuration.

Mellor wrote: »

It also mentions that a register dealer can posses without reason or lawful authority - why would a dealer be permitted or need to possess a firearm that can’t be licensed?

This may cover a multitude of things from destruction, repair, modification, storage etc.

aidan.mcintyre, if you follow the link in my first post, simply print it off and highlight the sections detailing modifications and draft a letter pointing out that the act doesn't cover stock models.

A stalking buddy of mine had to gently steer his new FOafter he sent his substitution up to the Super for consideration as in his opinion it was a restricted firearm. After a swift but polite conversation the young Garda soon realised his mistake in processing a bolt action 308 substitution that was like for like right down to the same maker and model.

Mellor · 20-03-2021 10:40am

cookimonster wrote: »

I would assume that this is a belt and braces approach, covering the eventuality of a pre exsisting licenced firearm being altered in its barrel lenght. Then it could be construed that the licence is no longer vaild as it was issued on the particulars of that firearm in its orginal configuration.

The way I see it.
Subsection 1 cover the person who modifies the rifle.
Subsection 6 covers a situation where somebody posses a rifle somebody else modified unlawfully.

Regarding the second part. The modifying shouldn’t affect a license. As you could modify a 24” to 21” without issue imo.

This may cover a multitude of things from destruction, repair, modification, storage etc.

Repair and modification are covered and permitted under subsection 2.

The long and short of it is that the only sections that refer to 50cm also refer to modification.
Except (6) which permits lawful authority possession, ie a licence.
Printing it off and running through that should be easy enough.

smmember20 · 20-03-2021 1:30pm

aidan.mcintyre wrote: »

My local firearms officer is refusing to allow me to licence a new ruger target lite for my sons 18th birthday saying the barrel is too short. The gun is completely standard and is in stock with the distributor, it has a 16.13 inch barrel. As far as I know most of the Ruger 10/22s have this. Is this guy nuts or is this the law.

So this is a strange one:
1) Question for FO, is what specific regulation is he using in his judgment that the firearm cannot be licenced
2) If it is in the country and in the posession of a firearms dealer then by definition it must be capable of being licenced, in additon many have been licended to date of that model.

The only reference to length is defining a rifle of less tham 90cm being restricted as per commissionoers guidelines, so you are not in that arena.

Maybe there is some confusion here in the act?

12A.—(1) Subject to subsection (2), a person who shortens the barrel of—

(a) a shot-gun to a length of less than 61 centimetres, or

(b) a rifle to a length of less than 50 centimetres,

This section only relates to the act of shortenting the Barrel efectively meaning if an individual other than a firearms dealer shortens the barrel to less than 50 cm they are guilty of an offence.............. nothing more.

(6) It is an offence for a person (except a registered firearms dealer) to possess without lawful authority or reasonable excuse—

(a) a shot-gun the barrel of which is less than 61 centimetres in length,

(b) a rifle the barrel of which is less than 50 centimetres in length,

Part 6 states what it states, lawful authority is having a firearms certificate, so in essence you can licence any barrel lenght you wish.

In my view this is a pathethic effort as is usual to have defined in the legislation the act of shortening and also define criminal trangressions by having firearms with shortend barrels

My view of course
Only a firearms dealer can shorten a barrel to less than 50cm
You need a licence to have a rifle with a barrel length of less than 50cm

So whats new, you FO is way off whack.

Suggest as in all these cases make an appointment to meet the super who is the licening person and see where in lies the issue!

Good Luck with the process

Apologies I may have just duplicated Mellors advice, I hadn't see it prior to my response, but essentially it is good to see many opinions all of the same mind.

aidan.mcintyre · 23-03-2021 2:39pm

Thanks all. That what i thought from my reading of the act also. It looks like the FO is just making things up again. Nothing new I suppose.

jb88 · 25-03-2021 5:16pm

aidan.mcintyre wrote: »

My local firearms officer is refusing to allow me to licence a new ruger target lite for my sons 18th birthday saying the barrel is too short. The gun is completely standard and is in stock with the distributor, it has a 16.13 inch barrel. As far as I know most of the Ruger 10/22s have this. Is this guy nuts or is this the law.

Its on the statute books 19.65 inches is the minimum for a rifle. I think Criminal Justice Act 2006. But its definately in the legislation. Its 24 inches for a Shotgun, looked this up not too long ago.

Mellor · 25-03-2021 11:34pm

jb88 wrote: »

Its on the statute books 19.65 inches is the minimum for a rifle. I think Criminal Justice Act 2006. But its definately in the legislation. Its 24 inches for a Shotgun, looked this up not too long ago.

The act quoted above is the Criminal Justice Act 2006. There’s no legal limit on a rifle length that I can see. But firearms law comes from a number of sources, so maybe it’s somewhere else.

BattleCorp · 26-03-2021 5:51pm

Have a look at Section 65 below, specifically 12A.-(6)

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2006/act/26/section/65/enacted/en/html

Here it is if you are too lazy to look at the attached link. :pac:

(6) It is an offence for a person (except a registered firearms dealer) to possess without lawful authority or reasonable excuse—

(a) a shot-gun the barrel of which is less than 61 centimetres in length,

(b) a rifle the barrel of which is less than 50 centimetres in length,

(c) a converted firearm mentioned in subsection (3), or

(d) a firearm which has been modified as described in subsection (4).

You can possibly argue what 'lawful authority' or 'reasonable excuse' means. Does lawful authority mean your licence? Does reasonable excuse mean that you needed the shorter barrel for certain target shooting competitions, easier to carry when hunting etc? Who knows?

Mellor · 27-03-2021 4:37am

BattleCorp wrote: »

You can possibly argue what 'lawful authority' or 'reasonable excuse' means. Does lawful authority mean your licence? Does reasonable excuse mean that you needed the shorter barrel for certain target shooting competitions, easier to carry when hunting etc? Who knows?

That was covered above. A license is lawful authority to possess a rifle. That subsection doesn’t apply.
Which is reinforced by the fact the shotgun length limit in that section is also the restricted length. Which is legal on a restricted license. No such requirement exists for rifles.

BattleCorp · 28-03-2021 5:22pm

Mellor wrote: »

That was covered above. A license is lawful authority to possess a rifle. That subsection doesn’t apply.
Which is reinforced by the fact the shotgun length limit in that section is also the restricted length. Which is legal on a restricted license. No such requirement exists for rifles.

Just to be awkward I'll argue with you here.

If you don't have lawful authority (possibly a licence) you can't have a firearm of any length so why would there be a need to put in that section if it wasn't going to apply?

Just because you have a licence doesn't mean 100% that you have lawful authority, e.g. if I was granted a centrefire pistol licence, I wouldn't have lawful authority because the law forbids me from having one. Same thinking for barrel length. If I've a licence for a gun that's too short, maybe the licence isn't valid.

Mellor · 29-03-2021 12:09am

BattleCorp wrote: »

Just to be awkward I'll argue with you here.

If you don't have lawful authority (possibly a licence) you can't have a firearm of any length so why would there be a need to put in that section if it wasn't going to apply?

By all means play the devils advocate.
I believe that was covered by the above though. That subsection (6) covers the possession of a rifle/shotgun shortened by somebody else.
If that subsection wasn't included, only the person who shortened the firearm has committed a crime under subsection 1. Meaning the licensed owner would be free to posses it.

It would seem that shorting a rifle from 24" to 22", for example, would be premitted.

Just because you have a licence doesn't mean 100% that you have lawful authority, e.g. if I was granted a centrefire pistol licence, I wouldn't have lawful authority because the law forbids me from having one.

Can you point out the law that prevents you from having one?
I'm not a pistol shooter so not fully up to speed on the details. But I was under the impression that the law states that no application for CF pistols would be considered, rather that any new licenses being null and void.
If somebody comes up with a good reason, and the commissioner wanted to permit it. I can't see why a restricted license couldn't be issued for a pistol under current laws.

And If it is the case that they are void, there has some in law to state as much.

Same thinking for barrel length. If I've a licence for a gun that's too short, maybe the licence isn't valid.

I don't know of any law that render licenses void like that. That's not to say it doesn't exist. Can you clarify which law/section nullifies a license as lawful authority for the purpose of section 6?

As it sounds like you are saying maybe a license isn't lawful authority for the purpose of section 6, as it is not permitted under section 6. This is a circular reference, and could just as easily be read the opposite way. That, section 6 doesn't apply to licensed firearms, therefore licenses are lawful authority for section 6"

cookimonster · 29-03-2021 12:47am

Is the onus not on the licensees to ensure they are compliant, in other words if a license was issued under the wrong circumstances or details then it is up to us to bring this to the attention of the relevant authorities.

Examples of these mistakes or inaccuracies-

Wrong firearm serial numbers - common enough

Restricted licence issued on an unrestricted firearm and vice versa-

30-06 standard bolt action issued as a restricted firearm

Walther G22 license issued as an unrestricted firearm

Only a few things I suspect that would nullify a license or have the owner possibly in contravention of licensing conditions.

Mellor · 29-03-2021 1:59am

cookimonster wrote: »

Is the onus not on the licensees to ensure they are compliant, in other words if a license was issued under the wrong circumstances or details then it is up to us to bring this to the attention of the relevant authorities.

Examples of these mistakes or inaccuracies-

Wrong firearm serial numbers - common enough

Restricted licence issued on an unrestricted firearm and vice versa-

30-06 standard bolt action issued as a restricted firearm

Walther G22 license issued as an unrestricted firearm

Only a few things I suspect that would nullify a license or have the owner possibly in contravention of licensing conditions.

Both of those would be example of invalid licenses. Or in the case of the former, possibly a valid license for a firearm that the holder doesn't possess.
There's a responsibility on licensee. As there is on issuer to ensure what they are issuing is valid and/or correct. There's no legal requirement for an applicant to know the licensing laws in detail. (although obviously good practice)

BattleCorp · 29-03-2021 10:08am

Mellor wrote: »

Can you point out the law that prevents you from having one?
I'm not a pistol shooter so not fully up to speed on the details. But I was under the impression that the law states that no application for CF pistols would be considered, rather that any new licenses being null and void.
If somebody comes up with a good reason, and the commissioner wanted to permit it. I can't see why a restricted license couldn't be issued for a pistol under current laws.

The legislation forbids the granting of licences for centrefire pistols if they weren't licenced before November 2008. So if the Commissioner wanted to permit it and issue a licence, he/she/they (I'm being very woke

) is breaking the law because they aren't legally permitted to issue such licences. If issued, the licence would be invalid and the person in possession of the firearm would be breaking the law (even though they had a licence for it). It would be like me issuing you a pilot's licence. Wouldn't be worth the paper it's written on.

I know of one case where a person was incorrectly issued a licence for a centrefire pistol after the ban on new licences came in. It was issued in error on an unrestricted licence.

Can you clarify which law/section nullifies a license as lawful authority for the purpose of section 6?

Looks like I was wrong about section 65. I didn't notice that it seems to only apply to shortened firearms.

Mellor · 29-03-2021 12:01pm

BattleCorp wrote: »

The legislation forbids the granting of licences for centrefire pistols if they weren't licenced before November 2008. So if the Commissioner wanted to permit it and issue a licence, he/she/they (I'm being very woke ) is breaking the law because they aren't legally permitted to issue such licences.

I was under the impression that the wording implied they won’t be issued, not that they can’t. Unless you’re referring to a different section to me.

Regardless, no such section exists in relation to barrel length.

I know of one case where a person was incorrectly issued a licence for a centrefire pistol after the ban on new licences came in. It was issued in error on an unrestricted licence.

Did he apply chancing his arm or how did it come about?

tudderone · 29-03-2021 1:02pm

Anytime i have heard of a licence being issued for something that shouldn't have been, its hushed-up and a lot of arse covering goes on. Never heard of anyone being cautioned or charged with anything like that.

cookimonster · 29-03-2021 2:02pm

Mellor wrote: »

There's no legal requirement for an applicant to know the licensing laws in detail. (although obviously good practice)

The old nutshell - 'ignorance of the law is not a defense' ....although it may play a determining factor when sentencing or punishment comes around, but there are plenty of defences ranging from health and safety, employment regulations, driving offences and so forth that have failed was on 'I didn't know plee'.

Mellor · 29-03-2021 2:34pm

cookimonster wrote: »

The old nutshell - 'ignorance of the law is not a defense' ....although it may play a determining factor when sentencing or punishment comes around, but there are plenty of defences ranging from health and safety, employment regulations, driving offences and so forth that have failed was on 'I didn't know plee'.

That example doesn’t hold up. If you are driving on the road you are obliged to know the rules and keep to that. That’s not the case in licensing (unlike using a firearm).

In those cases the “ignorant” person has broken a law. Whereas applying for the wrong license in ignorance isn’t an offence. If there license was issued in error, then the ignorant person who breached the law is the one that issued it.

I supposed they could technically say you possess an unlicensed firearm. But bringing that to court would expose them to proceedings more than anything else.
Regardless, there’s nothing to suggest a 16” barrel would/should be void.

BattleCorp · 29-03-2021 2:59pm

Mellor wrote: »

That example doesn’t hold up. If you are driving on the road you are obliged to know the rules and keep to that. That’s not the case in licensing (unlike using a firearm).

In those cases the “ignorant” person has broken a law. Whereas applying for the wrong license in ignorance isn’t an offence. If there license was issued in error, then the ignorant person who breached the law is the one that issued it.

I supposed they could technically say you possess an unlicensed firearm. But bringing that to court would expose them to proceedings more than anything else.
Regardless, there’s nothing to suggest a 16” barrel would/should be void.

How about this example.

If you apply for a firearm that's deemed restricted according to the legislation but you tick the unrestricted box and you are granted an unrestricted licence for it, you are in deep doo doo.

So you at least need to know if something is restricted or not.

cookimonster · 29-03-2021 4:36pm

Whereas applying for the wrong license in ignorance isn’t an offence.

In most cases I would say an applicant would have thier application queried and if found to be incorrect then returned for re-submission, but then again there is always Murphys Law no matter what checks and balances are applied.

But I can't see the GS letting a mistake go on thier side if it came down to something even as simple as them unintentionally issuing a non restricted licence for a restricted firearm. You'll most likely retain your firearm once you comply with the terms of them issuing you a restricted firearm license. This may not suit you and you end up with an unlicensed firearm sitting in a RFD gun room.

Having said that an applicant should know the prodecure and the terms and conditions attached to the application. The FCA1 is riddled with sections compelling the applicant to various declarations- so if the applicant just blindly fills out the form with out any knowledge then its beyond ignorance.

I think the final declaration covers most eventualities.

Mellor · 29-03-2021 10:53pm

BattleCorp wrote: »

How about this example.

If you apply for a firearm that's deemed restricted according to the legislation but you tick the unrestricted box and you are granted an unrestricted licence for it, you are in deep doo doo.

So you at least need to know if something is restricted or not.

The person applying hasn’t broken the law. They made a mistake, but hasn’t broken the law afaik, (it is smart to know the laws, but not an obligation).
The issuer has issued an license that contravenes the law. He fail to do his job correctly.
If they tried to charge the applicant, he’d could easily sue everyone involved for damages.

I’ve heard that happening above has happened on a few occasions. And it’s usually a phone call and quickly sorted out to cover asses, as mentioned above.

Mellor · 29-03-2021 11:05pm

cookimonster wrote: »

In most cases I would say an applicant would have thier application queried and if found to be incorrect then returned for re-submission,

Yes this is what should happen, and does happen in most cases.

But I can't see the GS letting a mistake go on thier side if it came down to something even as simple as them unintentionally issuing a non restricted licence for a restricted firearm. You'll most likely retain your firearm once you comply with the terms of them issuing you a restricted firearm license. This may not suit you and you end up with an unlicensed firearm sitting in a RFD gun room.

Yes, the solution I’ve heard about when it did happen was to quickly re-issue a restricted license. Which includes restricted license requirements (as they are required by law).

Having said that an applicant should know the prodecure and the terms and conditions attached to the application. The FCA1 is riddled with sections compelling the applicant to various declarations- so if the applicant just blindly fills out the form with out any knowledge then its beyond ignorance.

Don’t get me wrong, they absolutely should know the laws. Licensing, restricted firearms, and all the other legalities around firearms. It’s just common sense to be prepared. In general I think the average shooter needs to up their knowledge.
I was simply pointing out the difference between something being a best practise/common sense vrs a legal obligation to be across them.

tonysopprano · 30-03-2021 1:11am

Mellor wrote: »

Yes this is what should happen, and does happen in most cases.

Yes, the solution I’ve heard about when it did happen was to quickly re-issue a restricted license. Which includes restricted license requirements (as they are required by law).

Don’t get me wrong, they absolutely should know the laws. Licensing, restricted firearms, and all the other legalities around firearms. It’s just common sense to be prepared. In general I think the average shooter needs to up their knowledge.
I was simply pointing out the difference between something being a best practise/common sense vrs a legal obligation to be across them.

Try this:
1964 24
Onus of proof.
24.—(1) Where, in a prosecution for an offence under the Principal Act, the
existence or non-existence of a firearm certificate, a licence under section 17 of
the Principal Act, an authorisation under section 2 of the Principal Act, a permit under section 3 of this Act or an authorisation under section 13 of this Act is
material, it shall not be necessary to prove that the certificate, licence,
authorisation or permit does not exist.
(2) Where, in a prosecution for an offence under the Principal Act, possession,
use or carriage of a firearm or ammunition by a person is proved, it shall not be
necessary to prove that the person was not entitled to have in his possession,
use or carry a firearm or ammunition

GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT

Mellor · 30-03-2021 1:55am

tonysopprano wrote: »

Try this:
1964 24
Onus of proof.
24.—(1) Where, in a prosecution for an offence under the Principal Act, the
existence or non-existence of a firearm certificate, a licence under section 17 of
the Principal Act, an authorisation under section 2 of the Principal Act, a permit under section 3 of this Act or an authorisation under section 13 of this Act is
material, it shall not be necessary to prove that the certificate, licence,
authorisation or permit does not exist.
(2) Where, in a prosecution for an offence under the Principal Act, possession,
use or carriage of a firearm or ammunition by a person is proved, it shall not be
necessary to prove that the person was not entitled to have in his possession,
use or carry a firearm or ammunition

GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT

Sorry, I'm not sure what you are getting at there. How does that apply here?
The very first line says "in a prosecution for an offence". The OP doesn't commit any offence by possessing a licensed rifle with a 16" barrel. So none of that applies.

In regards to actual offenses. That seems reasonable. If somebody commits an offence - for example, using a firearm to steal a car. Then once it's proved that a firearm was used in the crime. Then there's no need to proved that they were not entitled to use or carry a firearm in general.

But obviously, I'm reading the above in isolation and without context.

jimbobmalones · 15-05-2021 2:50pm

Interesting thread

So what is your take (I know this isn't definitive) about

a rifle that is over 60cm in length but with a barrel that is

say 10"?

It would seem to qualify as a long firearm on the basis overall length?

Another issue is how is this length decided - is it from the receiver to the end of the barrel or is it from the butt of the stock.

Very badly drafted legislation IMHO as it provides a lack of clarity on things which should be simple to define

J

Shooting Forum - Firearms licencing information

Ruger target lite

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