Over 1,700 weapons stolen in past 5 years
It comes are new measures are being considered by officials which may reduce the number, and type, of guns in circulation.
RTÉ News yesterday reported that the firearms were stolen from homes and firearms dealers and included handguns, rifles, shotguns and air pistols.
Almost half of the stolen weapons (853) were shotguns, while 40 were air pistols and 17 were handguns.
In five burglaries in 2012, guns were stolen from licensed firearms dealers.
In September of that year 30 firearms were stolen from a dealer in Wicklow.
There were no reported robberies from gun dealers in 2010, 2011, 2013 or 2014.
Gardaí have said it was not currently possible to accurately identify how many times stolen guns have been used in crimes but said they were compiling information for the Oireachtas Justice Committee.
Gun owners are preparing to fight proposed changes to the law despite Garda warnings of a mass shooting without tighter control on firearms.
The 120,000-strong lobby has promised a “firestorm” of resistance to any clampdown and have accused Garda management of “vindictiveness” in trying to limit the number and types of guns in circulation.
A review of firearms licensing is under way, with separate public consultations begun by the Department of Justice and the Oireachtas Justice Committee.
Gardaí told the justice minister they want a ban on almost all handguns currently licensed to sports and hunting enthusiasts, as well as vets and pest controllers.
There are fewer than 2,000 legal handguns in Ireland, a fraction of the 200,000 legally held firearms, but gardaí fear them falling into criminal hands.
Chief Superintendent Fergus Healy has said that firearms designed for military and police use and currently licensable posed a “potentially devastating and lethal risk to the community”.
