How easy is it to own a gun?

Max Prophet

Interested in getting a small rifle for target practice and such. Is it easy to get one or so the cops give you hassle ?

SVI40

Max Prophet wrote: »

Interested in getting a small rifle for target practice and such. Is it easy to get one or so the cops give you hassle ?

Is this so you can follow up on your other post on joining the FFL?

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057831522

grassroot1

The cops won't stop you the Gardai will

Max Prophet

grassroot1 wrote: »

The cops won't stop you the Gardai will

That’s what I mean. Legally

Melodeon

Owning a gun is easy, anyone can do it.
The only bar to owning a gun is your own availability of funds to make the purchase.
Simply go to a gun dealer, haggle a bit over the price of your chosen gun, make the payment, and you now own a gun.

However, getting a Firearm Certificate so that you can actually take possession of your gun is an entirely different matter...

Max Prophet

Melodeon wrote: »

Owning a gun is easy, anyone can do it.
The only bar to owning a gun is your own availability of funds to make the purchase.
Simply go to a gun dealer, haggle a bit over the price of your chosen gun, make the payment, and you now own a gun.

However, getting a Firearm Certificate so that you can actually take possession of your gun is an entirely different matter...

Yeah that’s what I’d like to know about this forearm certificate. I only want it for target practice not even shooting animals

Ultimanemo

I was thinking if getting a small rifle for rabbits and I was told to join a gun club to get a license

SVI40

Everything you need to know is on the forum's header.

Melodeon

Here's the relevant link from the Useful Links thread:
http://10point9.ie/how-do-i-apply-for-a-firearms-licence/

Cass

First thing you need to do is choose which type of shooting you'd like to do. Are you interested in:

• Benchrest rimfire/centrefire
• Gallery rifle
• Pistol
• Long range shooting
• Sporting rifle
• etc

Once you know what type of shooting you'd like to do you need to pick a range. Based on where you live you need to determine not only the closest range to you, but the one that best serves your needs/wants. So even though range A is closest does it allow you to shoot the discipline. If not then you need to look at range B, C, etc.

Ring the range and make an appointment to go and visit it. They will gladly show you around, tell you all you need to know and walk you through the membership process, etc.

Here is a list of all rifle/pistol ranges.

Now you have the type of shooting you want to do and the range that best suits your needs picked out you need to choose a gun. I always advise most people to start out with a .22lr rimfire rifle. They are tons of fun, practical, can be used or hunting and target shooting, are cheap to run, cheap to buy, and the kind of gun you can always keep in the safe.

Here is a post describing the types of gun and why a .22lr is best as a starter.

You can of course go for any caliber and you may need to go for a higher caliber depending on the type of shooting you decide to do. Go to various ranges and gun dealers and look at as many as you can. Bring someone with you if you're not 100% on the types, makes, or models. When you have a gun you want you pay a deposit, and only a deposit (do not pay for the gun entirely upfront). You then take the letter the dealer gives you and have to apply for the gun.

To apply for a firearm you need to fill in an FCA1 firearm application form. This post details all the specifics you'll need to cover as well as the security measures you will need in place before getting the gun. This post then goes into a little more detail with regard to the reasons you may give for wanting the firearm as this is a legal requirement.

After all this is done you wait. Once the application is granted you'll be sent a grant letter. This confirms the application was successful. The letter must then be taken to the post office where you pay your €80 license fee. Within 3-5 days you'll receive your actual license and then you may go and collect your gun.


A few tips:

• If you apply for the gun for shooting on a range you must be a member of that range beforehand.
• Any security measures must be in place before you apply as you must declare you have satisfied the minimum requirements on your FCA1.
• NEVER pay more than a deposit (10% or so) on a gun. Also make sure that this deposit is refundable should you be refused the license as some dealrs will simply keep your money. Its for this reason you never pay for the gun upfront. Also a dealer will not return any money for change of mind.
• Always take someone with you even if you think you know all you need. A second set of eyes can provide helpful information and temper any "new buyers" excitement as sometimes we see things through rose tinted glasses when we want it.
• lastly don't be afraid to ask questions. Here, on a range, at the dealers, etc. Ask, ask and ask some more. Be 100% sure what you want and that you know what you need before committing to anything.

Best of luck with whatever you decide.

Max Prophet

Cass wrote: »

First thing you need to do is choose which type of shooting you'd like to do. Are you interested in:

• Benchrest rimfire/centrefire
• Gallery rifle
• Pistol
• Long range shooting
• Sporting rifle
• etc

Once you know what type of shooting you'd like to do you need to pick a range. Based on where you live you need to determine not only the closest range to you, but the one that best serves your needs/wants. So even though range A is closest does it allow you to shoot the discipline. If not then you need to look at range B, C, etc.

Ring the range and make an appointment to go and visit it. They will gladly show you around, tell you all you need to know and walk you through the membership process, etc.

Here is a list of all rifle/pistol ranges.

Now you have the type of shooting you want to do and the range that best suits your needs picked out you need to choose a gun. I always advise most people to start out with a .22lr rimfire rifle. They are tons of fun, practical, can be used or hunting and target shooting, are cheap to run, cheap to buy, and the kind of gun you can always keep in the safe.

Here is a post describing the types of gun and why a .22lr is best as a starter.

You can of course go for any caliber and you may need to go for a higher caliber depending on the type of shooting you decide to do. Go to various ranges and gun dealers and look at as many as you can. Bring someone with you if you're not 100% on the types, makes, or models. When you have a gun you want you pay a deposit, and only a deposit (do not pay for the gun entirely upfront). You then take the letter the dealer gives you and have to apply for the gun.

To apply for a firearm you need to fill in an FCA1 firearm application form. This post details all the specifics you'll need to cover as well as the security measures you will need in place before getting the gun. This post then goes into a little more detail with regard to the reasons you may give for wanting the firearm as this is a legal requirement.

After all this is done you wait. Once the application is granted you'll be sent a grant letter. This confirms the application was successful. The letter must then be taken to the post office where you pay your €80 license fee. Within 3-5 days you'll receive your actual license and then you may go and collect your gun.


A few tips:

• If you apply for the gun for shooting on a range you must be a member of that range beforehand.
• Any security measures must be in place before you apply as you must declare you have satisfied the minimum requirements on your FCA1.
• NEVER pay more than a deposit (10% or so) on a gun. Also make sure that this deposit is refundable should you be refused the license as some dealrs will simply keep your money. Its for this reason you never pay for the gun upfront. Also a dealer will not return any money for change of mind.
• Always take someone with you even if you think you know all you need. A second set of eyes can provide helpful information and temper any "new buyers" excitement as sometimes we see things through rose tinted glasses when we want it.
• lastly don't be afraid to ask questions. Here, on a range, at the dealers, etc. Ask, ask and ask some more. Be 100% sure what you want and that you know what you need before committing to anything.

Best of luck with whatever you decide.

Thanks. I’m think v seriously about a military career and would like some firearms experience. Have only done
Paintballing so far

Cass

I've said this before, elsewhere, but its true. The ability to hit a static target in a controlled environment will not make you an operator.

What i mean by that is, the types of firearms used by the sport sector compared to the defense/armed forces, and the manner in which they are used, are so vastly different that one will in no way prepare you for the other.

Now if you're looking to attain a small level of firearm handling experience then owning/buying a firearm will absolutely help or start you on that path. It'll teach you the basics of safety, handling, the principles of aiming, stripping, cleaning, knowing your limits, etc. However a .22lr, a shotgun, etc. will not prepare you for a semi/full auto military weapon or the manner in which they use it.

There is also no way to practice for such as practical and combat style shooting is prohibited in Ireland. In fact paintballing or airsoft would provide more simulation [regardless of the actual level of comparison] than real shooting can.

I've never served, but we have DF members on this forum and other forums that i'm sure would be happy to enlighten you as to the requirements. I also suspect that they [the armed forces] teach you all you need to know.

tac foley

Apologies for coming back here, but before this thread gets destroyed by Mr Prophet, I earnestly ask that the Moderators read the thread quoted in Post #2.

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/show...p?t=2057831522

tac

Max Prophet

Cass wrote: »

I've said this before, elsewhere, but its true. The ability to hit a static target in a controlled environment will not make you an operator.

What i mean by that is, the types of firearms used by the sport sector compared to the defense/armed forces, and the manner in which they are used, are so vastly different that one will in no way prepare you for the other.

Now if you're looking to attain a small level of firearm handling experience then owning/buying a firearm will absolutely help or start you on that path. It'll teach you the basics of safety, handling, the principles of aiming, stripping, cleaning, knowing your limits, etc. However a .22lr, a shotgun, etc. will not prepare you for a semi/full auto military weapon or the manner in which they use it.

There is also no way to practice for such as practical and combat style shooting is prohibited in Ireland. In fact paintballing or airsoft would provide more simulation [regardless of the actual level of comparison] than real shooting can.

I've never served, but we have DF members on this forum and other forums that i'm sure would be happy to enlighten you as to the requirements. I also suspect that they [the armed forces] teach you all you need to know.

I assume getting military grade scopes aren’t an issue?

endacl

Cass wrote: »

we have DF members on this forum and other forums that i'm sure would be happy to enlighten you as to the requirements. I also suspect that they [the armed forces] teach you all you need to know.

Yeah. That hasn't gone well...

Cass

tac foley wrote: »

Apologies for coming back here, but before this thread gets destroyed by Mr Prophet, I earnestly ask that the Moderators read the thread quoted in Post #2.

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/show...p?t=2057831522

tac

Mod hat on

Whether the OP is sincere in his request or not the information is free and no harm to have for any one else considering taking up the sport.

Also as no rules have been broken i don't see any issues.

SVI40

tac foley wrote: »

Apologies for coming back here, but before this thread gets destroyed by Mr Prophet, I earnestly ask that the Moderators read the thread quoted in Post #2.

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/show...p?t=2057831522

tac

Aw, Tac, don't ruin it, he might stop posting! Comic Gold!

Max Prophet

tac foley wrote: »

Apologies for coming back here, but before this thread gets destroyed by Mr Prophet, I earnestly ask that the Moderators read the thread quoted in Post #2.

https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/show...p?t=2057831522

tac

You can leave my threads if you wish. Your jealously of my youth, vigor and ambition is there for all to see....

cookimonster

Max Prophet wrote: »

I assume getting military grade scopes aren’t an issue?

I suggest not wasting your money on a 'military grade scope' instead spend your money on the better quality scopes, with decent glass, as found on many sporting firearms .... plenty of threads here discussing scope choice and suitability.