Gun restrictions 'wasting money' - Irish Independent 17/07/2006

Terrier

Gun restrictions 'wasting money'

THE gardai have been accused of wasting millions of euros of taxpayers' money by putting unfair obstacles in the way of hunters seeking legitimate firearms licences.

The National Association of Regional Games Councils (NARGC), which represents 1,000 gun clubs, said that more than 70 people had taken legal challenges to "pointless and unlawful" restrictions being attached to gun licenses.

NARGC director Des Crofton said the gardai had lost all 15 or 20 cases heard so far with costs awarded against them, and the final bill for taxpayers could be over €5.5m if the rest of the cases go to hearings.

He said gardai had put in restrictions not provided for in the relevant Criminal Justice Bill - such as putting bars on the windows of a room where the firearm is kept. "This would be like advertising to criminals that there's something there they might want, so come and get it," said Mr Crofton.

Mr Crofton said the problem seemed to be that some superintendents were being overly restrictive so they could not be blamed if something went wrong.

Babble

Terrier do you have a link to this article?

Terrier

Babble wrote:

Terrier do you have a link to this article?

Requested Article

Rew

Fair play to the Indo (even if it is a rag )

Sparks

That point got made again by Des Crofton on Morning Ireland this morning.

zaitsev

Its about time we saw something positive in the media as distinct to the
usual mis informed rubbish.

Rew

Sparks wrote:

That point got made again by Des Crofton on Morning Ireland this morning.

I heard Des thismorning and he was very good.