Summary
The Department has been looking at a range of issues and this has not proven to be straightforward. DOJ Officials presented proposals to the Justice Committee on 18 June, where they asked for further engagement with the firearms lobby.
Documents
Consultation description
The Minister has considered each of the issues and having consulted with the Chief Constable, he believes what is proposed gives a balanced solution which will enable PSNI to continue to deliver the licensing system in a manner which maintains public safety and also improves the service delivered to FAC holders.
The priority issues are listed below and more detail on each of them can be found within the Annex
- Firearms Licensing Fees which includes Individual fees and Dealers fees.
- 10 year Firearms Licence;
- Age of Young Shooters; and
- Banded System.
The Minister has carefully considered the submission and representations made by various organisations and individuals and he believes that the compromise presented delivers on a number of areas:
- Public safety which is an overriding necessity in all considerations;
- Value for money for both shooters and the non-shooting public;
- Improved service delivery to FAC holders;
- An acceptable change in our age legislation which meets the needs set out by Lord Morrow in 2011 — seeking to promote and encourage young people into competitive shooting sports for the Olympic and Commonwealth Games in clay target and air gun disciplines.
- View the summary of responses here.
Ways to respond
Consultation closed — responses are no longer being accepted.