I've been writing the IFA to make them aware of the impact that these proposed laws will have on predator control, especially the impact on thermal and night vision for fox shooting at night. Didn't receive any replies unfortunately.

Very true, delboythedub.

That old saying "If guns are made criminal, only criminals will have guns", needs to be drilled into every single persons head - as its 100% true!

While I agree, the problem is, that by then we have lost our private property and been lumbered with even more unneeded restrictions on our sport

It would be great to get some support from the farming community on this, help turn up the heath even further on FFGG

That's the problem though. There are easily 100,000 people here who own guns. Gun owners = voters. If they decided to vote a certain way, plenty of politicians would sit up because there's enough votes there to get them kicked out of their job. Instead, they get to sh1te on law abiding gun owners with no consequences.

The problem here is that local politics is like a Monarchy. My grandfater voted for his grandfather and your son will vote for his son.

I wrote to him , I think he is getting quite a few.

And it's not just 100,000 votes. All my family will be voting AGAINST, these idiots next time round. I reckon 4 votes and counting just here and that's before i count friends etc. Anyone local whose name is on the record as voting to do down any aspect of shooting/hunting/rural sports in general, won't even get into the driveway. We will vote for anyone that stands the best chance against them.

Why are we right wing? Just asking for discussion, not trying to be argumentative.

Great, thanks,it's really important that his local constituents tell him what's going to happen, if he carries on like this.

Might be no harm to force MeHole into the conversation too, though, given its going to be his party that pay the price at national level, for the actions of this rouge small time politican.

In fact, I believe thats what we all should be doing, insisting that our local FF people raise it with MeHole and get you a response from his office - then the party leader has a problem, that can't simply be ignored.

(thereafter, do the same with FG, given they control the actual Minister for Justice position😉).

The Easter break and Joe Buden's visit should not be used by the politicans, to conveniently forget about this issue.

We are a law abidinv, but very powerful group, and it's long past time that we flexed our muscles, to protect our sport, and our rights (to equal treatment, respect etc.)

The Ferns GPA letter to politicians

Dear Minister, TD or Public Representative

I am writing to you on behalf of Ferns & District Game Preservation Association as I have been asked by the committee to contact all our local public representatives for support in opposition to the new firearms Licencing legislation that is being considered by Minister of State for Justice & Equality Mr James Browne on the recommendations by a Firearms Expert Committee selected and set up by the Minister's Department.

 Ireland already has one of the toughest gun ownership laws in Europe and these new rules will put firearms ownership and their legal use out of the reach of many newcomers to shooting sports such as Clay pigeon shooting, game hunting and target shooting .

Current Firearm Licence holders too will be affected by these new requirements due to new costs and constrictions on the use of their firearms.

 I can't begin to stress to you what a devastating effect these ridiculous new requirements, if introduced and written into law will have on nearly all the people connected with shooting sports in your constituency and you would be surprised how many of us there a re.

After the GAA, shooting is one of the biggest sports in Wexford, with over three and a half thousand firearms licenced in the county.

 It is beyond belief to think that the Garda authority and the Department of Justice could be so flippant and uncaring as to try and implement such far reaching and oppressive regulations on firearms owners.

  If you are not familiar with the contents of the Firearms Expert committee proposals, please ask Minister of State Mr Browne or someone in Government to explain and I am sure it will lead you to realise that these requirements that they intend to implement are an injustice to the decent law abiding firearm licence holders in your area... We are not criminals .

  If you wish to contact Ferns & District GPA we will explain in greater detail what the new legislation will mean to us or we would be happy to meet with you to highlight the issues that are most likely going to ruin shooting sports in this country .

  Ferns & District GPA have nearly 100 members, that's 100 families and friends who will be watching closely to see which of our public representatives will help us in our struggle to prevent these ridiculous requirements being shortly passed into law by the Justice Minister.

 The names of the politicians who helped us and to what degree, will be sent by Ferns GPA texting service to all members of our Gun club just before the next elections and a copy of this letter will be circulated to the 64 other Gun club secretaries here in Wexford .

 We are asking for your support and look forward to seeing what you will do to help the thousands of decent people who are licenced Firearms owners in your constituency.

  If you are not in agreement with us we would also be pleased to hear YOUR views or opinions on the new proposed Firearms Legislation and happy to discuss these with you.

Ends

Consultation? Gardai are reducing ammo allowances with no consultation.

We all know a politicans promise is worthless.

I agree time to stand up to the constant attacks on our sports.