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NI: Gun Licences

01 September 1993

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Under the Firearms Order 1981, the Chief Constable may grant a firearms certificate provided he is satisfied that the applicant has a good reason for having a weapon, that the applicant can be trusted with a firearm and will not be a danger to public safety or the peace. Although there is a sustained assassination campaign against Sinn Fein local councillors and other members of the party, applications for certificates from party members are routinely turned down. It was thought that RUC policy was never to grant certificates to party members but it was revealed in Belfast High Court on 17 September that five Sinn Fein councillors hold firearms certificates relating to shotguns and air rifles. Former Belfast City councillor Gerard McGuigan has been the subject of three murder attempts by Loyalist groups and was applying to the Court for a review of the Chief Constable's decision to refuse him a firearms licence. McGuigan also applied for the disclosure of any policy documents or standing orders relating to the issue of firearms certificates but this has been refused.

At the end of 1992 there were 129,250 authorised firearms in private hands in Northern Ireland. There are 144 registered firearms dealers within the North and more than 40 authorised firearms clubs.

Chief Constable's Annual Report, 1992; Irish News 18.9.93, 16.10.93.

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