madness

Great explanation Cass as always.

So, just to clarify, as this does sound mad.if one is applying for an unrestricted rifle, eg 10 22, but wants an NV scope, should the Restricted firearm box be ticked on the form as well as the scope box.

In other words does the whole firearm application become a restricted application.

I would read this differently to Cass, in that you apply for your unrestricted licence for the 10 22, but you would need to apply for a seperate restricted licence for the NV scope.

The same as you may have an unrestricted licence for a deer rifle and a restricted licence for, say, a lever action rifle.

Am I missing something ?

Makes sense but...

If the NV is legally a restricted firearm in itself, how can it be granted without an application for a restricted firearm.

To play that out... A restricted firearm can only be approved by a Chief Super. Just ticking the scope box on an application for an unrestricted rifle would mean that a local Super would be handling the application.

The unrestricted or restricted status of the application is as we know the responsibility of the applicant. However, the recent letter from AGS on the scope issue shows they are aware of the confusion. Note they did not require or clarify that the entire application must be for a restricted firearm. That was their clear best opportunity.

There is another thread on this anout one page back..

TBH ,this is now AGS/DOJ bolting the stable door after the horses have long departed and been turned into glue at the knickers yard and the barn has fallen down.

With the advent of cheap Chinese electronics and companies like Aliexpress etc. Anyone with 450 euros can now buy a relatively good NV unit that clips onto the front /rear of a day scope and can be removed in seconds and used as a hand-held spotting scope The idea that people are solely buying these in dealerships in Ireland is ridiculous, and there is nothing to stop you from hopping in a plane,flying to the UK or Germany and buying one with cash and be home within 24 hours with one.

You would literally have to be caught in flagrant with the unit mounted on a scope on a firearm for a prosecution to stand, and at the moment it is also questionable they are "restricted firearms" as that category of firearms came in only in 2006/08 legislation. Also, anyone who has one legally licensed is now going to have an illegal firearm per se as authorization for a restricted firearm is in the Cheif Supers domain of licensing.

Also,if the DOJ want to claim a "rise in restricted firearms" a direct question for a breakdown of what kind of restricted firearms" by any TD in a Dail question would be interesting...Seeing the DOJ can't tell accurately how many semi-auto rifles are in the country. When asked for a breakdown and "night vision devices" come up as the rise of restricted firearms...And not knowing exactly how many of these deadly night vision units are out there either since 1990...People in the opposition are going to be asking seriously what kind of gobaloons do we have in power or in departments that put bits of electronics and glass tubes down in the same category of 9mm handguns?

This will be exactly like the Drones licensing by the IAA.You must license them,but it will be impossible to enforce unless you either [1] do something daft with it or [2] Are caught with it

What was the stock saga about?

Some of us can't get a moderator atm 🙄 don't know will the Super allow NV & he's reportedly cutting ammo allowances on renewals and only giving 100 rounds on licences. Commissionera Guidelines says average for all licences should be 250 ......

And this is before the hatchet job consultation has even made a report. Me thinks the changes are already decided & some are already bring implemented. Unfortunately, nothing can be proven 😕

Hi,

When did you get that letter, please ?

I haven't received one, which begs the question are they still issuing them? If so, we potentially have tens of thousands of licence holders who know nothing about this.

I suppose the big question for us law abiding types is, how do we proceed? I was so close to purchasing a nv unit. Hadn't submitted my letter to the local station. Having it stamped as NV on my existing license seems reasonable, and doesn't bother me at all. Applying for a separate license, for 80euro, seems ott. How would it be counted for security requirements etc...

Buy it and put in the application. At the current minute, the law governing this is the offensive weapons act 1990. Which states this is an authorisation by a superintendent. Whether this is the correct law or whatever, or whenever it is going to change is not of concern.it is THE LAW as it stands right now,which they must work with.

Them demanding it is a restricted item and putting everything on hold including sales on gun dealers "pending consultations with the Department of Justice".Is stalling and contrary to the statute law.

I'd advise anyone contemplating buying one to do so now and put in the paperwork with their next renewal or application right here and right now.They opened this particular can of worms on themselves and us.Let them sort out the paperwork themselves.

Certainly will apply on next renewal, not going to spend 80euro to get something that might take a year anyway. Thanks

At least the ATF once you have complied with the NFA leaves you alone,and hasn't been stupid enough [yet] to classify an optic as a firearm like us here.

I still working on that bit🤣🤣

Personally I'd avoid starting a conversation unnecessarily. Just apply giving your reasons for what you want and leave everything else about reports and policies out unless it comes up later.

I suppose, the lad ticking boxes in AGS, will be up to speed on the new, proposed, requirements. Giving them all they need to tick those boxes, is far easier for me, than going to the district court. Once you accept it's a restricted license application, you realise it's more than a one line cover letter. Most of it, is just copies of documents I have in my shooting folder.

But I'm still doing my research.