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.

Following a series of judicial decisions, however, that situation changed in 2004.

Mr Ahern said: “The number (of handgun licences) will continue to rise unless we take action. At least one judge has expressed his concern at this alarming growth.”

He announced the Government decision to enact the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous) Provisions Bill 2009 at Templemore College where 101 new members of the Garda Reserve graduated.

Mr Ahern said: “I don’t think the broad spectrum of people in Ireland want a gun culture in the country. Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy and the Garda management support strongly what I am doing.

“It is a necessary step in moving away from the handgun culture which has been developing.

“It mirrors what has been done in other jurisdictions in the light of dreadful atrocities which have been committed using deadly weapons.”

Under the legislation no new handgun licenses will be issued, with limited exceptions where Olympic sports are involved.

Existing handgun licenses will be subject to the new rigorous licensing procedures when a renewal is sought.

Mr Ahern also announced a new three-year licensing system which will be introduced for non-handgun firearms, such as shotguns. This new vetting system will come into effect next August.

Mr Ahern said it is imperative that the new law is enacted before the summer, due to the licensing situation with guns.

The new legislation will also outlaw the brandishing of realistic imitation firearms in a public place and place restrictions on the importation and sale of replicas and “airsoft” guns.

Penalties for carrying knives will also be ratcheted up considerably.

Under the terms of the new bill, the maximum penalty for possession of a knife in a public place will be increased from one to five years. Samurai swords will also be outlawed.

Mr Ahern said: “Legislation on the use of knives and similar weapons is already very strong and heavy fines are in place. But I am introducing two provisions in the bill to strengthen the law in this area.”