Belfast Telegraph
Change in gun laws will help paintball players
By Jonathan McCambridge
18 January 2005
New legislation governing the legal use of guns in Northern Ireland will allow paintballing clubs to operate for the first time without the need for a firearms licence, it can be revealed today.
The move will bring Northern Ireland's gun laws into line with regulations introduced in the rest of the UK after the Dunblane School massacre in 1996.
The new Firearms Order 2004, which will govern the use of all legally held guns, will become law at the beginning of next month.
Security Minister Ian Pearson welcomed the new laws, which he said would be accompanied by explanatory guidance for the public.
Changes to the law will include:
an increase in the duration of firearms certificates from three to five years;
de-certification of low powered air guns and deactivated firearms;
a period of supervised shooting for first time certificate holders;
provision for the borrowing of shotguns and estate rifles;
provision for paintball guns to be used without the need for a firearms certificate;
provision for transactions involving the exchange of one shotgun for another to be carried out by firearms dealers;
provision for the PSNI's civilian support staff to play a greater role in the firearms licensing administration.
Mr Pearson said: "I believe that the new controls are relevant, effective and proportionate and that they strike a balance between public safety and the reasonable expectations of those who enjoy shooting as a sport or leisure pursuit and the firearms trade."
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Goods news for us in Ireland
Dave
Change in gun laws will help paintball players
By Jonathan McCambridge
18 January 2005
New legislation governing the legal use of guns in Northern Ireland will allow paintballing clubs to operate for the first time without the need for a firearms licence, it can be revealed today.
The move will bring Northern Ireland's gun laws into line with regulations introduced in the rest of the UK after the Dunblane School massacre in 1996.
The new Firearms Order 2004, which will govern the use of all legally held guns, will become law at the beginning of next month.
Security Minister Ian Pearson welcomed the new laws, which he said would be accompanied by explanatory guidance for the public.
Changes to the law will include:
an increase in the duration of firearms certificates from three to five years;
de-certification of low powered air guns and deactivated firearms;
a period of supervised shooting for first time certificate holders;
provision for the borrowing of shotguns and estate rifles;
provision for paintball guns to be used without the need for a firearms certificate;
provision for transactions involving the exchange of one shotgun for another to be carried out by firearms dealers;
provision for the PSNI's civilian support staff to play a greater role in the firearms licensing administration.
Mr Pearson said: "I believe that the new controls are relevant, effective and proportionate and that they strike a balance between public safety and the reasonable expectations of those who enjoy shooting as a sport or leisure pursuit and the firearms trade."
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Goods news for us in Ireland
Dave
