Laws to crack down on licensed handguns

A MAJOR crackdown on licensed handguns and stiffer jail sentences for people found carrying knives and Samurai swords, has been announced by Justice Minister Dermot Ahern.

Outlining the new legislation, Mr Ahern said he was shocked to learn that 1,800 handguns had been licensed over the past four years.

Non-Garda and army personnel have to obtain a licence to own a handgun. Handguns were effectively banned in the State until 2004, as a result of measures introduced during the Northern troubles.