(Ireland) Ulster's gun owners to face 'safety tests'

O

Oatka

New member
Italics and boldface mine.

Ulster's gun owners to face 'safety tests'

Chris Ryder

LICENSED holders of guns in Northern Ireland will be required to pass a test to demonstrate they can handle their weapons safely, under upcoming legislation.

Among those who will have to take the exam are almost 10,000 politicians, former members of the security forces, business leaders and other public figures licensed to carry handguns for their protection.

The laws will allow the police to use the taking of drugs as evidence of "intemperate habits", permitting them to turn down an application. At present they can take account only of a criminal record, mental or emotional instability or alcoholism. (incrementalism at work - Oatka)

Handguns used for personal protection and target shooting will continue to be licensed. The British government decided not to proscribe all handguns in Northern Ireland, as they did elsewhere in the United Kingdom, after the murder of 17 people in the Dunblane school massacre in 1996, because of the terrorist threat faced by many public figures.

At the moment, only applicants for a full-bore rifle licence are required to undergo a training course. After the legislation is introduced, all firearms applicants will have to meet certain standards.

A consultation document, circulated to shooting associations, proposes a "driving test" for gun owners. Discussions are taking place with the associations and the police about devising the test and providing training for it.

It is likely that training and testing will be delegated to a shooting association with proper facilities. There will be independent safeguards to ensure the effectiveness of testing procedures. In another measure, applicants and existing licence holders will have to justify their need for a firearm to the chief constable of police and provide two character references. Previously, renewal was virtually automatic.

It is expected that many guns will be recalled under this provision over the next few years as the police decide the applicant does not have a strong enough case to hold a gun.

Ever since the 1994 terrorist ceasefires, many have handed their weapons in or kept them at their homes or places of work.

Over the same period a number of police officers and soldiers have ceased carrying their weapons when in plain clothes or off duty.

The draft firearms order is ready to be laid before parliament this autumn to replace the current one, which dates from 1981. It follows the first widespread review of firearms law since it was introduced in 1920.

There are about 50 firearms clubs and 160 dealers in Northern Ireland.

Copyright 2000 Times Newspapers Ltd.

PS from Oatka - When I italicize and/or boldface, I am not indicating that you all can't figure it out for yourselves, I'm just cyber-venting. :)


[This message has been edited by Oatka (edited September 24, 2000).]
 
A big part of the problem with N. Ireland was the British government's forbidding of the right to bare arms to the population in general while making arms available to politicans and government employees, many, of course, who were connected with terrorist organizations from the get go.
This left the population at the mercy of thugs of every conceivable stripe.
Now that the government in London thinks it may have the situation under more control, they want, as always, to limit the number of arms to more reliable hands (many of whom have connections to terrorist organizations, etc., etc.).
It seems thing never change for the better in that part of the world.
Poor old Ireland, first conquored, last to be freed.
 
Precisely where we are heading, as early as January next year.

* Compulsory training for all firearms licences (including air rifles)

* No right of renewal; licence to be reapplied for at every renewal

* Medical tests and a statement regarding applicant's mental fitness to possess a firearm at each renewal.

* Upper age limit on firearms ownership.

As you say -- incremental confiscation and disbarment.

B
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Bruce in West Oz:
Precisely where we are heading, as early as January next year.

* Upper age limit on firearms ownership.[/quote]


That's the first time I've heard of someone being too old to own a gun. What next? Maybe restrictions on fat people.


------------------
Just one of the Good Guys
 
Herodotus:
It was easier to get a permit to purchase a hangun in Northern Ireland than anywhere else in the United Kingdom. All you had to do was prove 'cause'. If you could prove that your life was in danger, that was sufficient cause to carry a handgun. Of course, if you had terrorist connections or whatever, you weren't likely to be issued with a permit...but there was nothing stopping any ordinary citizen of Northern Ireland from applying for, and receiving a permit to purchase a handgun.
I do agree with you, though, that politicians, etc, had first dibs...<s>
 
Were the permits granted to Catholics at risk as well as Protestants?

If only the latter, then who cares about the rules. It is just an oppressive government giving favors to its chosen supporters.
 
EnochGale:
No distinction was made when granting permits to purchase a handgun...it was also illegal in Northern Ireland to enquire as to a person's religious persuasion for ANY reason.
Oppressive government? Not that old chestnut again. How precisely do you think the American government would react to an armed attack on the state....first clue: Waco.
 
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