Row in North regarding gun licences for former policemen

There's a row in the North over who is entitled to carry guns for their personal protection.

Before the peace process, retired officers and UDR soldiers were allowed to carry arms virtually automatically but, more recently, there has been tighter control.

The PSNI says former officers and British soldiers who now hold a legal weapon can only be considered for a further license if it can be shown that there is a threat to their life.

For a person to be granted a firearms cert for their personal protection, the Chief Constable is legally required to be satisfied they have good reason and are fit to be entrusted with a firearm.

Each application is dealt with on its own individual merits.

But unionists say it would be a scandal if any former police officer or soldier was to be refused a licence and are welcoming a review of the PSNI policy after recent dissident republican killings.