The National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC) has written to Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan seeking an urgent meeting over strict new ammunition regulations due to take effect next week.
The regulations stipulate that ammunition must be stored in a “locked receptacle” separate to a gun when a firearm is not in use and during transportation.
Dan Curley, chair of the NARGC, has called the regulations “shortsighted” and “poorly worded”.
“Transporting ammunition could mean driving a short distance down the road or even walking through a field,” Curley said.
Ammunition
“Most people carry ammunition in a gun belt or in their pockets. By storing it in a “locked receptacle”, will they have to carry it in some sort of locked wash bag?”
The new storage capacity outlined by the Department of Justice states: “When the firearm is not in use, all ammunition for the firearm stored in a locked receptacle that is separate from where the firearm is stored.
“When transporting a firearm or ammunition, the firearm must be concealed from view and stored separately from the ammunition.”
Regulations
Curley pointed out that the Department of Justice regulations went far beyond what was stipulated by the European Parliament.
“The EU says it is fine to have the cartridges in your gun belt or pocket but the Department say that it needs to be kept separate in locked receptacle. It’s a stupid phrase and we’re requesting an urgent meeting with the minister,” he said.
“If a person is stopped next week and they don’t have their ammunition locked away in the car, they are technically in breach of regulations and could be in trouble.”
The regulations are due to take effect on Sunday 1 September and then NARGC estimates that of the 200,000 licensed gun holders in Ireland, some 80,000 farmers could be affected by the new rules.
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The National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC) has written to Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan seeking an urgent meeting over strict new ammunition regulations due to take effect next week.
The regulations stipulate that ammunition must be stored in a “locked receptacle” separate to a gun when a firearm is not in use and during transportation.
Dan Curley, chair of the NARGC, has called the regulations “shortsighted” and “poorly worded”.
“Transporting ammunition could mean driving a short distance down the road or even walking through a field,” Curley said.
Ammunition
“Most people carry ammunition in a gun belt or in their pockets. By storing it in a “locked receptacle”, will they have to carry it in some sort of locked wash bag?”
The new storage capacity outlined by the Department of Justice states: “When the firearm is not in use, all ammunition for the firearm stored in a locked receptacle that is separate from where the firearm is stored.
“When transporting a firearm or ammunition, the firearm must be concealed from view and stored separately from the ammunition.”
Regulations
Curley pointed out that the Department of Justice regulations went far beyond what was stipulated by the European Parliament.
“The EU says it is fine to have the cartridges in your gun belt or pocket but the Department say that it needs to be kept separate in locked receptacle. It’s a stupid phrase and we’re requesting an urgent meeting with the minister,” he said.
“If a person is stopped next week and they don’t have their ammunition locked away in the car, they are technically in breach of regulations and could be in trouble.”
The regulations are due to take effect on Sunday 1 September and then NARGC estimates that of the 200,000 licensed gun holders in Ireland, some 80,000 farmers could be affected by the new rules.
Read more
Carthy says new shotgun laws are ‘unworkable’ for farmers
100,000 farmers' guns at risk from lead ban
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