THE NUMBER of legally held handguns in the State has increased almost six-fold since 2004 when there was an almost blanket ban on these weapons.
According to Department of Justice figures there were 305 such guns in the State in 2004, but this had jumped to approximately 1,701 by 2007/2008 .
John Deasy (FG, Waterford) asked yesterday why there was such a significant increase and questioned why technical amendments were necessary to fully implement the Criminal Justice Act of 2006, toughening the requirements for handguns.
In a written reply to a parliamentary question from the Fine Gael TD, Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern revealed the increase since 2004 “following a legal challenge taken on the temporary custody order made in 1972 by the then minister for justice”.
From the 305 licensed handguns in 2004, the number jumped to 946 the following year, rose again to 1,367 in 2006/07 to 1,701 this year.
Mr Ahern said that almost all handguns except pistols used in Olympic competition were designated “restricted firearms” since May 1st this year under the Firearms (Restricted Firearms and Ammunition) Order 2008.
He added that when sections 30 and 32 of the 2006 Criminal Justice Act were commenced, an application for a handgun would have to be made to the Garda Commissioner, rather than the local Garda superintendent.
These provisions would be in place “as quickly as possible” and Mr Ahern said he would introduce technical amendments to the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, to allow their implementation.
Mr Deasy, however, yesterday questioned why technical amendments were needed to the legislation “when this should have been dealt with”. Tánaiste Mary Coughlan who was taking the Order of Business yesterday said “it is hoped the legislation will be brought before the House by the summer”.
Mr Deasy said there had been a growth in the number of shooting clubs and, while these were responsible organisations, the huge increase in these weapons “amounts to a liberalisation of handguns and that is something that can’t be tolerated”.
