S.I. No. 239/1976 - Firearms Regulations, 1976.


S.I. No. 239 of 1976.

FIREARMS REGULATIONS, 1976.

I, PATRICK COONEY, Minister for Justice, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 27 (1) of the Firearms Act, 1925 (No. 17 of 1925), hereby make the following regulations:

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Firearms Regulations, 1976.

2. These Regulations shall come into operation on the 1st day of November, 1976.

3. The Interpretation Act, 1937 (No. 38 of 1937), applies to these Regulations.

4. (1) A person ordinarily resident in the State who desires to obtain a firearm certificate shall complete a form of application for the certificate.

(2) The form of application for a fire arm certificate pursuant to paragraph (1) of this Regulation shall be in accordance with Form I in the Schedule to these Regulations or with such modification of that Form as may be suitable.

5. A firearm certificate issued by a Superintendent of the Garda Síochána shall be in accordance with Form II in the Schedule to these Regulations or with such modification of that Form as may be suitable.

6. A firearm certificate issued by the Minister for Justice shall be in accordance with Form III in the Schedule to these Regulations or with such modification of that Form as may be suitable.

7. A person to whom a firearm certificate is issued under Regulation 5 or 6 of these Regulations shall sign his name to the certificate immediately upon its receipt by him.

8. An application for the renewal of a firearm certificate issued under Regulation 5 of these Regulations shall be in accordance with Form IV in the Schedule to these Regulations or with such modification of that Form as may be suitable.

9. A notification pursuant to section 10 (3) (b) of the Firearms Act, 1925 (No. 17 of 1925) of the sale or purchase of a firearm shall be in accordance with Form V in the Schedule to these Regulations.

10. In any case where a firearm in respect of which a firearm certificate is sought has no maker's number or other distinguishing mark impressed thereon, the applicant for the firearm certificate shall cause such number as may be prescribed by the Minister for Justice or a Superintendent of the Garda Síochána, as the case may be, to be impressed on such part of the firearm as the Minister or the Superintendent may direct.

11. A permit to bring a firearm ashore for repairs shall be in accordance with Form VI in the Schedule to these Regulations.

12. A person desiring to be registered as a firearms dealer shall lodge with the Sergeant of the Garda Síochána for the district in which the applicant resides a form of application which shall be in accordance with Form VII in the Schedule to these Regulations or with such modification of that Form as may be suitable.

13. An application for renewal of registration as a firearms dealer shall be in accordance with Form VIII in the Schedule to these Regulations or with such modification of that Form as may be suitable.

14. (1) The registers to be kept by the registered firearms dealer of all purchases, hiring, sales, repairs and other transactions of or in relation to firearms or ammunition made by him shall be in accordance with Forms IX (a) and IX (b) in the Schedule to these Regulations or with such modification of those Forms as may be suitable.

(2) The registers of all purchases and sales of or in relation to ammunition to be kept by a registered firearms dealer, whose registration is subject to the condition that he confines his dealings to the sale and purchase of ammunition for shotguns, for unrifled airguns and for rifled firearms of a calibre not exceeding .22 inches shall be in accordance with Form X in the Schedule to these Regulations.

15. A person desiring to obtain an occasional licence to import firearms or ammunition shall apply in writing for such licence to the Secretary, Department of Justice. Any such application shall specify the name and address of the applicant, the class of firearm or ammunition desired to be imported, the port of importation, and particulars of any firearm certificate held by the applicant.

16. A person desiring to obtain a continuing licence to import firearms or ammunition shall apply in writing for such licence to the Secretary, Department of Justice, setting out the name, address and place of business of the applicant, the nature of the firearms or ammunition desired to be imported on such licence, the port or ports of importation, and any special grounds on which the applicant relies, which, from the point of public convenience, would warrant the issue of a continuing licence.

17. A registered firearms dealer carrying on the business of importing firearms or ammunition into the State for sale or distribution to other registered firearms dealers shall on the first Monday in each month make a return to the Secretary of the Department of Justice of all firearms and ammunition so sold and distributed by him to other registered firearms dealers during the previous month.

18. A search order to be issued by a Superintendent of the Garda Síochána shall be in accordance with Form XI in the Schedule to these Regulations or with such modification of that Form as may be suitable. Such search orders shall be made out in duplicate, and the person or persons whose premises are searched under a search order shall be entitled on demand to receive a copy thereof.

19. The Firearms Regulations, 1925, are hereby revoked.

SCHEDULE

FORM I.

/images/si239y76p0005.gif

............................................................ ............................................................ ....................

FOR USE BY GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ONLY.

Station..........................................................

Date............................................................ ..

Superintendent ............................................................ ............................

In submitting the application overleaf I wish to say that :

1. The applicant is a ............................................................ .................. by occupation.

2. The particulars contained in this application are correct.

3. The applicant:

(a) has good reason for requiring the firearm to which this application relates.

(b) is a person who can, without danger to the public safety or to the peace be permitted to have the firearm described in his/her possession, and

(c) is not a person declared by the Firearms Acts, 1925 to 1971, to be disen itled to hold a firearm certificate.

4. The fee of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . in respect of this application is covered by Postal/Money Order No. . . . . . . . .value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . dated . . . . . . . . . . . . submitted to you on this date.

5. The applicant previously held a firearm certificate in respect of the same gun.

6. The applicant has not previously held a certificate for this gun.

7. District Serial number/s ................................ refer to an/other gun/s held by the applicant.

Signed ............................................................ ..........

Sergeant No. ......................................................

Note: Strike out any section not applicable and where necessary make a separate report.

____________________________________________________________________________

Indicators 2 and 3 overleaf should be completed as follows :

(a) Indicator (2)

insert '1' if application is for a firearm which was not previously licensed.

insert '2' if application is for a firearm which was previously licensed.

insert '3' if application is for a firearm which is owned and licensed by another person

(i.e. two licensees, one firearm).

(b) Indicator (3) -insert '1' if the certificate applied for is to issue to the Garda Station (and not direct to the applicant), otherwise leave blank.

FORM II.

CERTIFICATE NO.

FIREARMS ACTS, 1925 TO 1971

(1)

is hereby authorised to have in his possession, use and carry the firearm described hereunder subject to the conditions listed at (2) below and to purchase ammunition therefor, provided that he shall not have in his possession or carry at any one time more than       rounds of ammunition.

CALIBRE

MAKER'S NAME

IDENTIFYING NUMBER

THIS CERTIFICATE IS VALID UNTIL THE 31stJULY, 19

DATE

............................................................ .........

Superintendent, Garda Síochána

(2)

CONDITIONS

Signature of Holder: ............................................................ .............................................

FORM III.

FIREARMS ACTS, 1925 to 1971.

FIREARM CERTIFICATE.

............................................................ ............................................................ ............................................................ .......

............................................................ ............................................................ ............................................................ .......

is hereby authorised to have in his possession, use and carry the firearm described hereunder and to purchase cartridges (or rounds of ammunition) therefor, provided that he shall not have in his possession or carry at any one time more than ................................. cartridges or rounds of ammunition.

(When a certificate for a shotgun is granted to a person who already holds a firearm certificate for another shotgun, add: "The holder of this certificate holds a firearm certificate (No.  ) in respect of another shotgun".)

CLASS OF FIREARM

MAKER'S NAME

IDENTIFYING NUMBER

This certificate is valid until the    day of  , 19 

Date....................................

Signed............................................................ .......................................................

Minister for Justice

Signature of holder ............................................................ ............................................................ .....................

FORM IV.

FIREARMS ACTS, 1925 to 1971.

APPLICATION FOR RENEWAL OF FIREARM CERTIFICATE.

You are hereby notified that Certificate No: .................. issued to you under the Firearms Acts, 1925 to 1971 in respect of the weapon described below, expires on 31st July next.

To apply for renewal of this Certificate, please complete the lower half of this form and hand it in at your local Garda Station with the fee of £.....................

NOTE: If any of the details below are incorrect or no longer relevant, please bring to the attention of the member in charge.

I hereby make application for renewal of Firearm Certificate in respect of the firearm described hereunder

WEAPON INFORMATION

GUN TYPE

CALIBRE

MAKER'S NAME

SERIAL NO.

.............................................

............................................................ ............................................................ .................

Date

Signature of Applicant

FORM V.

FIREARMS ACTS, 1925 to 1971.

DEALERS TRANSACTION FORM.

TO NOTIFY GARDA DISTRICT OFFICER OF SALE OR PURCHASE OF A LICENSED FIREARM.

/images/si239y76p0010.gif

Dealer's Name: ............................................................ .......

Address: ............................................................ .................

............................................................ ..........

Note: Maker's name, serial no., certficate no. and action (P for purchase, S for Sale) to be entered by dealer.

FORM VI.

No. ......................

FIREARMS ACTS, 1925 to 1971.

PERMIT TO BRING FIREARM ASHORE.

I hereby authorise and permit

of the

............................................................ ............................................................ ...............

to bring a

(insert Name of Ship)

............................................................ ............................................................ ..........................................................

(describe firearm setting out maker's name and any maker's number or other

............................................................ ............................................................ ................................

ashore

............................................................ ............................................................ .......................................................

distinguishing mark) for the purpose of repair, and to have such firearm repaired at

............................................................ ............................................................ .........................................................

(set out name and address of registered firearms dealer).

This permit shall remain in force for

............................................................ ...................................................

and no longer from this date.

.....................................................

Superintendent, Garda Síochána

Date .....................

FORM VII.

FIREARMS ACTS, 1925 to 1971.

APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION IN THE REGISTER OF FIREARMS DEALERS.

1.

Name:

............................................................ ............................................................ ....................................

2.

Address:

............................................................ ............................................................ .............................

............................................................ ............................................................ .............................

3.

Situation of premises in which business of firearms dealer will be carried on :

............................................................ ............................................................ .....................................................

4.

What business, if any, is already carried on in the premises?

............................................................ ............................................................ ....................................................

5.

Do you wish to deal in firearms and ammunition or do you intend to confine your dealings to the sale and purchase of ammunition for shotguns, for unrifled airguns and for rifled firearms of a calibre not exceeding ·22 inches?

............................................................ ............................................................ ....................................................

............................................................ ............................................................ ...................................................

To the Minister for Justice,

I intend to carry on the business of firearms dealer in the premises mentioned at 3 above and I hereby apply to you for registration in the register of firearms dealers.

Signature:

..................................................

Date:

..................................................

(This form when completed must be lodged with the Sergeant of the Garda Síochána for the Sub-District in which the applicant resides.)

FORM VIII.

FIREARMS ACTS, 1925 to 1971.

APPLICATION FOR RENEWAL OF REGISTRATION IN THE REGISTER OF FIREARMS DEALERS.

1.

Name:

............................................................ ............................................................ .....................................

2.

Address:

............................................................ ............................................................ ...............................

............................................................ ............................................................ ................................

3.

Situation of premises in which business of firearms dealer will be carried on:

............................................................ ............................................................ ......................................................

............................................................ ............................................................ .......................................................

To the Minister for Justice,

I intend to carry on the business of firearms dealer in the premises mentioned at 3 above and I hereby apply to you for renewal of registration in the register of firearms dealers.

Signature:

....................................................

Date:

....................................................

FORM IX (a).

FIREARMS ACTS, 1925 to 1971.

REGISTER TO BE KEPT BY REGISTERED FIREARMS DEALER OF SALES AND HIRINGS

Date of Transaction

Description and number of Firearms sold or hired specifying maker's name and number. If only hired, state so.

Description and quantity of ammunition sold.

Name and Address of person to whom sold or hired.

If sale or hiring to person other than Registered Firearms Dealer No. of Firearm Certificate held by the person to whom sold or hired.

................................

................................

................................

................................

................................

................................

................................

................................

................................

................................

................................

................................

................................

................................

................................

................................

................................

................................

................................

................................

................................

................................

................................

................................

................................

................................

................................

................................

................................

................................

FORM IX (b).

FIREARMS ACTS, 1925 to 1971.

REGISTER TO BE KEPT BY REGISTERED FIREARMS DEALER OF PURCHASES AND REPAIRS.

Date of Transaction.

Description and number of Firearms purchased or received for repairs specifying maker's name and number

If only received for repair, state so.

Description and quantity of ammunition purchased.

From whom purchased or received for repair

In the case of a firearm purchased or received for repair from a person other than a Registered Firearms Dealer or Manufacturer, state No. of Firearm Certificate or Permit held by such person

....................................

....................................

....................................

....................................

....................................

....................................

....................................

....................................

....................................

....................................

....................................

....................................

....................................

....................................

....................................

....................................

....................................

....................................

....................................

....................................

FORM X.

FIREARMS ACTS, 1925 to 1971.

Register to be kept by Registered Firearms Dealer whose registration is subject to the condition that he confines his dealings to the sale and purchase of ammunition for shotguns, for unrifled airguns and for rifled firearms of a calibre not exceeding ·22 inches.

Date of Transaction

Description and quantity of ammunition purchased

From whom purchased

Date of Transaction

Description and quantity of ammunition sold

Name and address of person to whom sold

If sale to person other than registered dealer number of firearm certificate held by purchaser

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

Columns (1), (2) and (3) to be on the left-hand pages of the Register and columns (4), (5), (6) and (7) on the right-hand.

FORM XI.

FIREARMS ACTS, 1925 to 1971.

SEARCH ORDER

I,                 of                

Superintendent of the Garda Síochána being of opinion that an offence under the Firearms Acts, 1925 to 1971 has been (or is being or is about to be committed) at (specify place or premises) do hereby authorise (set out names and ranks of members of Garda Síochána who are to execute order) to enter the place (or premises) of  

       at           and if need be by force, and to search and inspect the said place (or premises), and to take the names and addresses of any persons found therein (if the premises are premises of a firearms dealer, add: "and to seize any books and papers relating to the business of firearms dealer carried on by the said      ).

And I do further authorise the said members of the Garda Síochána or any of them to arrest without warrant any person found in the above-mentioned place (or premises) whom such members or member of the Garda Síochána may have reason to believe to be guilty of an offence under the Firearms Acts, 1925 to 1971.

Dated this    day of  19 , at  o'clock m.

Signed, ............................................................ ...........................

Superintendent, Garda Síochána

GIVEN under my Official Seal, this 12th day of October, 1976.

PATRICK COONEY,

Minister for Justice.

EXPLANATORY NOTE.

These Regulations, which come into operation on 1st November, 1976, replace the Firearms Regulations, 1925. They prescribe the forms to be used in connection with the grant of firearm certificates, the registration of firearms dealers and the form of the registers of transactions to be kept by such dealers. They also prescribe the forms to be used in connection with the importation or bringing ashore of firearms, the notification of the sale or purchase of a firearm, and the issue of a search order by a Superintendent of the Garda Síochána.