Criminal convictions that would affect getting a gun licence in Ireland?

WillM87

Is there certain convictions that are immediately red flagged? Apart from the obvious, murder/attempted murder or things of that nature. Is there a certain period of time from when the convictions were made to become spent or not affect getting a licence?

Eo1n8wrd

your permanent record is permanent, the gardai will usually interview you though to get their own opinion.

Witcher

The super could refuse you for any criminal conviction really, depending on what it was, how long ago it was and your character now; they might overlook it.

Cass

As the lads have said it need not be a "serious" conviction. Even drink driving can be enough to have you refused.

It's down to what the Super/law calls "Intemperate Character". This basically means if you have a conviction for anything that shows lack off control, poor judgement, aggression, violence, etc, etc. it can be a reason to be refused a firearms license.

These convictions are permanent as outlined above however given a period of time, which only a Super can dictate the length off, you may be able to get a license even with a conviction if you show a change in character and basically good behaviour.

IRLConor

There are also some hard limits in Section 8 (1) of the Firearms Act:

The following persons are hereby declared to be disentitled to hold a firearm certificate, that is to say:—

1. any person under the age of sixteen years, and
2. any person of intemperate habits, and
3. any person of unsound mind, and
4. any person who has been sentenced to imprisonment for—
   1. an offence under the Firearms Acts 1925 to 2006, the Offences Against the State Acts 1939 to 1998 or the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005, or
   2. an offence under the law of another state involving the production or use of a firearm, and the sentence has not expired or it expired within the previous 5 years,
5. any person who is bound by a recognisance to keep the peace or be of good behaviour, a condition of which is that the person shall not possess, use or carry any firearm or ammunition, and
6. any person not ordinarily resident in the State (except a person who is temporarily so resident) for a period of 6 months before applying for a firearm certificate.

Parts (b), (d) and (e) would be the bits most likely to apply to any previous convictions.

For anything else, the Superintendent can use his/her judgement. As mentioned above there's pretty much no limit to what the Super can use as a reason to refuse a certificate.

meathstevie

Anything involving unlawful violence or absolute lack of sound judgement like drink driving or dangerous driving for example would get some eyebrows raised or your chances of success seriously diminished.