Go the following from a gun rights activist in Ireland, explaining the new assault on their rights to own handguns. It's interesting to note that the new restrictions, seemingly a virtual ban on the ownership of centerfire pistols, did not occur through new legislation per se, but through a decision by the police to simply not issue the license needed to lawfully own pistols.

tk

Hi folks

1972 due to the troubles in Ireland the IRA needed firearms so they started to steal them from people who owned them lawfully, (how did they know who had them? they received lists of addresses from sympathisers in the police who knew who owned firearms, what they had and the location due to the licensing system whereby every firearm must be individually listened)

August 1972 a segment of legislation contained in the firearms acts allowed for the "temporary custody" of firearms in the event of civil unrest, this was introduced at the end of the annual licensing period, all firearms except .22 rim fire rifles and shotguns had to be surrendered to the police, the duration of the temporary custody was to be 30 days, however as guns needed licenses and the police decided not to issue licenses for the guns seized they stayed in custody for 34 years. During the period 1972 to 1997, only .22 rim fire and shotguns were allowed to be listened, not even a BB gun was allowed and reloading was totally outlawed, for individuals wishing to shoot Deer they were permitted .22-250.

In 1997 an individual who owned a .270 took a high court case and won the right to have a .270 rifle, government policy changed and allowed for up to .270 in rifles to be listened.

From 1995 I was involved in talks with Justice and Police to allow for the return of sporting firearms to include pistols, these discussion dragged on fruitlessly until 2003 when it was decided to take the Police to the high court, an individual called Frank Brophy applied for a license for a .22 pistol and was refused, he took it to the high court and had the pistol granted, at around the same time I challenged the police in the high court on the grounds to refuse a 9mm Glock, the case was conceded in October 2004. At that time the flood gates opened and anyone making application for pistol was granted, however up to 27 cases were still in progress in the high courts and some were favourable some were not, overall the judgments were very positive in favour of the shooters.

Due to the uncertainty of the situation the Justice Minister ordered a full review of firearms licensing legislation and significant changes were proposed in the Criminal Justice Bill 2006, these were restrictive and prohibitive in certain circumstances but we could live with them. A change in Justice Minister in 2008 caused a significant shift in policy as he was of the view that gun crime had spiralled out of control and by banning pistols he would solve the problem, in 2009 an addendum to the criminal justice bill banned the licensing of any centre fire pistols and outlawed Practical or IPSC shooting as it simulated combat and tactical shooting. It was felt the the sport attracted too many people and had become too popular.

From 2004 to 2009 up to 1,800 pistols were licensed to sportspersons for target shooting, the Minister saw this as a major threat to society and set about banning practical shooting and IPSC shooting. The new legislation had the effect of creating a new type of firearm a "restricted firearm", the legislation allowed for a list of restricted firearms to be drawn up that would ensure that they were subject to more stringent licensing regimes. The list drawn up was by exception, if it was not a .22 rifle, shotgun or .22 Olympic style pistol it was restricted!

On the 1st August a new licensing scheme came into effect, one had to apply afresh for all firearms that had been previously listened, application for all non restricted firearms was made to the local superintendent of the police and for restricted firearms the application had to be made to the Chief Superintendent, a 9 page application had to be completed to include permission for the police to enquire of your doctor of your mental state, one had to comply with strict security regulations, if one had more than 6 firearms of any sort they had to be secured in a gun safe and the house needed to have a monitored alarm backed up by a 2nd independent GSM wireless alarm also monitored.

I like may other put all the necessary security in place, applied for the restricted firearms, I have a S&W 686 and a Sig 226 X-Five 9mm, I received a refusal to renew on the grounds that the Chief Super was not satisfied that I had a good reason for requiring a restricted firearm. He also stated that in his opinion that my pistols were Military Combat Style firearms and that I could have instead one of a list of suitable Olympic Standard pistols which are not restricted and had been agreed with the Olympic Council of Ireland and the National Target Shooting Association.

Virtually all applicants for restricted firearms have been refused, I now have the option to go to the district court and appeal his decision, the district court is public, it is the first court that all the criminal elements face, it will have reporters present and should I be successful in the appeal it will be public knowledge that Mr D K of XYZ Street has been granted a 9mm Pistol licence, if I fail it will still be known that I am the owner of x number of shotguns, x high power rifles etc, I doubt if my GSM alarm will protect me against the criminals, we cannot defend our home by the use of lethal force, the criminals can kill us but we must not take their lives.

In summary it is a mess, we are honest lawful individuals who just want to enjoy our sport, what difference will taking guns off us have on the criminal use of firearms,,,,,,,,,,,,,none. We had 32 years from 1972 to 2004 of a society in which not one handgun was licensed to a civilian, what difference did it have on murder rate none, you would think that we could look inwardly and see that the prohibition of lawful possession of firearms has no effect on the criminal misuse of firearms.

I have attached a few documents for your amusement, please be sure to read our Garda Commissioners guidelines on firearms licensing, do you know that by adding a collapsible stock, having a black gun or a gun with a short barrel makes it especially dangerous...............No our police commissioner believes so, also did you know a .22 that looks like a military firearm is a restricted firearm...............

The fees we pay for an individual firearm $120 per licence that has a three year validity, for an individual with 10 firearms that a whopping $1,200.00

Any way must away to bed now before I explode in anger, no or fall down in tears.