Wanting to buy my own gun...

dooleygav

I am not new to shooting as i was a member of DURC however i would like to buy my own gun and do some more shooting. And I have some questions:


1. Is it legal to shoot targets at home? (10m air rifle)

2. How do you sort out the legal side of it? Can you buy the gun and get the license then? Or do you need the license to ge the gun?

3. Is it hard to purchase left handed /ambidextrious guns?

4. I live in kildare, is there anywhere near for selling guns too?! I already heard of Griffin Hawe


Any help is appreciated!!

rrpc

dooleygav wrote: »

I am not new to shooting as i was a member of DURC however i would like to buy my own gun and do some more shooting. And I have some questions:


1. Is it legal to shoot targets at home? (10m air rifle)

Yes, providing you do so safely.

2. How do you sort out the legal side of it? Can you buy the gun and get the license then? Or do you need the license to ge the gun?

Both . You need the licence to own the gun, but you need the serial number of the gun to get a licence for it. What most people do, is contact the seller/dealer, place a deposit or pay in full and the dealer issues you with a receipt with the serial number on it. This forms the basis for your licence application.

3. Is it hard to purchase left handed /ambidextrious guns?

Depends on what sort of firearm it is. Target rifles tend to be either right or left handed, some sporting rifles are ambidextrous, but bolt action rifles in general are handed. If you're buying new, it's no problem, second hand is more difficult.

4. I live in kildare, is there anywhere near for selling guns too?! I already heard of Griffin Hawe

Again depends on whatyou want to buy. Without more information on this aspect, I'm afraid I can't help.

You shouldn't be limited geographically in any case.

Rovi

dooleygav wrote:

1. Is it legal to shoot targets at home? (10m air rifle)

As far as I know (open to correction), provided you can do so safely and without frightening the neighbours, at the moment you can.
In the future, there's something of a grey area around home/improvised/unapproved ranges.

dooleygav wrote:

2. How do you sort out the legal side of it? Can you buy the gun and get the license then? Or do you need the license to ge the gun?

You pick out your firearm first, get the necessary paperwork from the dealer/current owner (details of make, type, and calibre), take this and any other supporting documentation (club memberships, etc) to your local Garda station and complete an application form. In due course, when the license arrives, you take possession of the firearm.

dooleygav wrote:

3. Is it hard to purchase left handed /ambidextrious guns?

Sinister versions of many firearms (particularly specialist target firearms) certainly exist, but they aren't commonly available, and would probably have to be specially ordered.

dooleygav wrote:

4. I live in kildare, is there anywhere near for selling guns too?! I already heard of Griffin Hawe

I'll leave this one to the locals, but most of us appear to travel the country to go 'shopping'


Looks like rrpc got here before me!

rrpc

Rovi wrote: »

As far as I know (open to correction), provided you can do so safely and without frightening the neighbours, at the moment you can.
In the future, there's something of a grey area around home/improvised/unapproved ranges.

The Range Inspectorate is not really concerned with air rifle ranges. There is virtually no danger to the general public from an indoor range and pellets. Having said that, common sense (not always that common) suggests that you ensure you are in no danger of inadvertently hitting anyone. Air pellets will hurt and certainly penetrate the skin. A target air rifle will completely embed a pellet in plywood at 10m.

dooleygav

great!! thanks a million! that helps!!

IDon'tKnow!

I found when I was looking for my last gun that the shooting digest was good for finding dealers near were I lived.

jaycee

The Range Inspectorate is not really concerned with air rifle ranges. There is virtually no danger to the general public from an indoor range and pellets. Having said that, common sense (not always that common) suggests that you ensure you are in no danger of inadvertently hitting anyone.

I wouldn't say thats entirely true .. There is reduced risk to be sure when compared to cartridge firearms . However , matters such as air filtration , lead buildup and disposal of same are real Issues . all the common sense in the world won't prevent you breathing while shooting . Safety to the shooters and the public is also a concern at the short ranges involved ricochets off improper target frames could put an eye out.

Theres also the unwanted specter of people acting the monkey while shooting and *Plinking* at everything in sight , of course ASBO's are there to deal with some of that .

As a shooter I'm sure you'll agree that some safety course prior to purchase would be a good idea too. These are not toys they are firearms and need to be treated as such.

bigred

rrpc wrote: »

The Range Inspectorate is not really concerned with air rifle ranges.

I understand the guys doing the inspections are quite reasonable, but I was of the assumption that there's no written exception on the statute books allowing target shooting with air guns outside of an authorised range?
If there is, then happy days, I'll start construction.. I know Wilkinstown had an authorisation visit and we only shoot airguns up there..

foxshooter243

jaycee wrote: »

I wouldn't say thats entirely true .. There is reduced risk to be sure when compared to cartridge firearms . However , matters such as air filtration , lead buildup and disposal of same are real Issues . all the common sense in the world won't prevent you breathing while shooting . Safety to the shooters and the public is also a concern at the short ranges involved ricochets off improper target frames could put an eye out.

Theres also the unwanted specter of people acting the monkey while shooting and *Plinking* at everything in sight , of course ASBO's are there to deal with some of that .

As a shooter I'm sure you'll agree that some safety course prior to purchase would be a good idea too. These are not toys they are firearms and need to be treated as such.

ahem.. they are not firearms ...:rolleyes:

Rovi

foxshooter243 wrote: »

ahem.. they are not firearms ...:rolleyes:

In the eyes of 'The Man', they most certainly are.

Sparks

And while the range inspectors might be more worried about fullbore rifles and pistols, they certainly can (and I suspect, will if bored or annoyed enough at whomever's involved) act against someone shooting airguns at home after Section 4A is commenced.

However, that doesn't mean you won't be able to shoot at home; just that the range inspectors will have to sign off on it and you'll have to pay your 400 euro a year or whatever.

foxshooter243

Rovi wrote: »

In the eyes of 'The Man', they most certainly are.

still doesnt make them a "firearm"

IRLConor

foxshooter243 wrote: »

still doesnt make them a "firearm"

Oxford English Dictionary wrote:

firearm n. (usu. in pl.) a gun, esp. a pistol or rifle.

There's no requirement for combustion to define something as a firearm.

Sparks

And if anyone thinks that because it uses compressed air rather than gases from burning powder it isn't a "real" firearm, I would remind them that airguns have been used for hunting deer, as military battlefield rifles (in .51 calibre!) and that even the modern, lower-powered air rifles used for bunny whacking will do a rather unpleasant range of things to the human body if you abuse them!

edit: Whoops, deer not bears!

José Alaninho

Sparks wrote: »

even the modern, lower-powered air rifles used for bunny whacking will do a rather unpleasant range of things to the human body if you abuse them!

From personal experience, yes, they will.

foxshooter243

IRLConor wrote: »

There's no requirement for combustion to define something as a firearm.

definition- a firearm is a mechanical device that uses pressure from a burning powder to force a projectile through and out of a metal tube.
an air pistol is not a firearm.

Sparks

First off, the OED doesn't give that definition for "firearm". Nor does the cambridge dictionary. Webster's does, but face it - websters isn't an english dictionary, it's an american one
Second, the only definition worth much in this country is that given in the firearms act, and airguns with muzzle energy over one joule are firearms.
Thirdly, I'd love to see a specific definition for "firearm" which everyone in shooting, world-wide, would agree upon
Lastly, the word you use to describe something does actually matter - you start thinking of airguns as "not firearms" and that's one unnecessary step closer to an accident you'd rather not have had.

foxshooter243

Sparks wrote: »

First off, the OED doesn't give that definition for "firearm". Nor does the cambridge dictionary. Webster's does, but face it - websters isn't an english dictionary, it's an american one
Second, the only definition worth much in this country is that given in the firearms act, and airguns with muzzle energy over one joule are firearms.
Thirdly, I'd love to see a specific definition for "firearm" which everyone in shooting, world-wide, would agree upon
Lastly, the word you use to describe something does actually matter - you start thinking of airguns as "not firearms" and that's one unnecessary step closer to an accident you'd rather not have had.

The legal profession agrees with websters definition of a firearm, air pistols and rifles are "airarms" thats my point , the firearms act may consider them as firearms but that doesnt make it right-they are using the wrong
terminology and if you wish to condone that then feel free, but I dont;)

IRLConor

Sparks wrote: »

First off, the OED doesn't give that definition for "firearm".

Yes it does. I copied it exactly from the copy of the OED (Concise, Ninth Edition) sitting in my living room. I can take a photo and attach it if you don't believe me.

IRLConor

foxshooter243 wrote: »

definition- a firearm is a mechanical device that uses pressure from a burning powder to force a projectile through and out of a metal tube.
an air pistol is not a firearm.

Both use gas pressure to propel the projectile. Arguing over the source of the gas is just pedantry and I'd never condone that.

foxshooter243

IRLConor wrote: »

Both use gas pressure to propel the projectile. Arguing over the source of the gas is just pedantry and I'd never condone that.

ah but, we are arguing over terminology my dear boy.an entirley different matter;) do try to keep up old boy:D

Rovi

Crossbows are also 'firearms'.
(in the eyes of the Law)




Carry on...

foxshooter243

Rovi wrote: »

Crossbows are also 'firearms'.
(in the eyes of the Law)




Carry on...

exactly my point.. thank you rovi:D

jaycee

The only definitions that matters to shooting in Ireland , where we live and who's laws are what we must operate under are the ones in the Firearms Act.

I Quote..

Section 1
Definitions and interpretation.

(1) In this Act—

“ammunition” (except where used in relation to a prohibited weapon) means ammunition for a firearm and includes—

(a) grenades, bombs and other similar missiles, whether or not capable of being used with a firearm,
(b) any ingredient or component part of any such ammunition or missile, and
(c) restricted ammunition, unless the context otherwise requires;


“Commissioner” means the Commissioner of the Garda Siochana or a member of the Garda Siochana, or members of a particular rank in the Garda Sıochana, not below the rank of superintendent appointed in writing by the Commissioner for the purpose of performing any of the Commissioner’s functions under this Act;

“firearm” means—

(a) a lethal firearm or other lethal weapon of any description from which any shot, bullet or other missile can be discharged,

(b) an air gun (including an air rifle and air pistol) with a muzzle energy greater than one joule or any other weapon incorporating a barrel from which any projectile can be discharged with such a muzzle energy,
(c) a crossbow,

(d) any type of stun gun or other weapon for causing any shock or other disablement to a person by means of electricity or any other kind of energy emission,

(e) a prohibited weapon,

Since the OP resides in this country , was asking about the procedures in this country , I just naturally assumed that we were talking about the laws of theis country .

The Oxford or Websters definition of a *Firearm* won't carry much weight with either a Judge or the Gardai here .

foxshooter243

jaycee wrote: »

The only definitions that matters to shooting in Ireland , where we live and who's laws are what we must operate under are the ones in the Firearms Act.

I Quote..



Since the OP resides in this country , was asking about the procedures in this country , I just naturally assumed that we were talking about the laws of theis country .

The Oxford or Websters definition of a *Firearm* won't carry much weight with either a Judge or the Gardai here .

so now we are to believe that a crossbow or stun gun are firearms, sorry but no they are crossbows and stun guns, it is for that reason that they had to specified explicitly as being "considered" as firearms , for the purposes of the act. in other more enlightened countries that have tighter firearms controls than ours, air pistols up to 6 ft/lb and air rifles to 12 ft/lbs are sold across the counter to over 18 year olds without regulation.
anything above that is "rated" as requiring regulation and the fire arms act is used for that purpose but that doesnt make an airarm a firearm or a crossbow a firearm.

jaycee

so now we are to believe that a crossbow or stun gun are firearms

Its not a question of what we believe or think ...
Its whats in law here that matters .

According to the firearms act , which i did quote from .. they are firearms.
As such you need a licence .

foxshooter243

jaycee wrote: »

Its not a question of what we believe or think ...
Its whats in law here that matters .

According to the firearms act , which i did quote from .. they are firearms.
As such you need a licence .

no they are not firearms but treated as firearms ,there is a difference, if you insist that an airarm or crossbow is a firearm
then theres no answer to that