Proposals to increase regulations of gun licences in Ireland has been described as a ‘disconnect’ between the Government and rural Ireland.  

The Firearms Expert Committee recommended the introduction of different types of firearms certificates for specific purposes, such as target shooting and wildlife hunting.  

They also recommended landowners provide written permission to gunowners to shoot on their lands so it can be verified by An Garda Síochána.  

Aontú Councillor Jim Codd said the recommendations do not serve the firearm community in rural areas at all.  

“The chair of the [National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC)] has said this will be the end of gun clubs,” he told Newstalk Breakfast.  

“The gun clubs would be subject to authorisation from An Garda Síochána, so a group that's already working very, very well in the community will be further regulated.” 

Regulations

The Wexford councillor said Ireland “is not America” and possession of firearms is already regulated enough.  

“If you want to shoot in the clear... next November... you'll be waiting for months to get that license,” he said.  

“Convictions or all pending convictions will stop [a license], you'll have to provide your medical history. There's also a for-sure licensing system in place already.” 

October 27, 2004 - Gun Rack With Guns (Credit Image: © Kelly Redinger/Design Pics via ZUMA Wire)

Cllr Codd said requiring written proof of all land a person has permission to shoot on would put pressure on a system “that is working very well and serving rural Ireland”.  

“The NARGC... may go out in November to look for a pheasant or in September to look for a duck,” he said. “They also do vermin control for farmers.” 

Anti-rural mentality

“To say that the product of any [gun] problems with society comes from that group of people, I will take great issue with," he said.

Rural people who follow regulations should not be associated with perpetrators of gun violence in Ireland, according to Cllr Cod. 

“The problems with guns in society, be it the crime gangs [and] whatnot – they are not going through the already difficult process to get a firearm,” he said. 

“That is absolute disconnect that is now emerging in Irish politics... we’re not talking up this anti-gun club, anti-rural mentality. 

“I’m a councillor in rural Wexford and and nobody has made those complaints to me, no one has expressed those feelings.”