Although I'm sure this subject has been covered many times before, I thought that I'd refresh your collective memories by asking the actual administrators themselves, up in distant Belfast, for the latest facts and figures in a simplified way that I can understand

If this in any way causes discommode, stress or the night shivers to anyone here, please look away now.

For those intending to peruse the PSNI website - you'll need to check out the part in the drop-down menu that deals with the carriage of firearms into and out of Northern Ireland by NON-residents of Northern Ireland or GB.

1. You will need to apply SIX FULL WEEKS IN ADVANCE OF YOUR PROPOSED DATE OF VISIT - the sooner the better.

2. For reason beyond the control of anybody [fire, flood, sudden plague etc] , there is NO guarantee that even this time-scale may be sufficient, so the advice from the gentleman concerned is to book early to avoid disappointment [that might also include getting arrested of course - plus guns seized, that sort of disappointment].

3. If you intend to travel THROUGH Northern Ireland - ANY part of Northern Ireland, wit ha view to fetching up in nearby Scotland or even donegal - the same laws apply - you'll need a license to do it, and, of course, your Euro firearms pass if you are going to Scotland.

4. There IS good news - the license lasts for one full year from the date of issue.

My thanks go to Mr Robinson in the HQ PSNI Firearms & Explosives Licensing Department.

tac
www.vcrai.com