S.I. No. 308 of 2009

FIREARMS (AUTHORISATION OF RIFLE OR PISTOL CLUBS) REGULATIONS 2009

Notice of the making of this Statutory Instrument was published in

"Iris Oifigiúil" of 7th August, 2009.

I, DERMOT AHERN, Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 4A (inserted by section 33 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 (No. 26 of 2006)) of the Firearms Act 1925 (No. 17 of 1925), and after consultation with the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána, hereby make the following regulations:

1. (1) These Regulations may be cited as the Firearms (Authorisation of Rifle or Pistol Clubs) Regulations 2009.

(2) These Regulations shall come into operation on 1 August 2009.

2. In these Regulations-

"Act of 1925" means the Firearms Act 1925 (No. 17 of 1925);

"Act of 2006" means the Criminal Justice Act 2006 (No. 26 of 2006);

"authorisation" means an authorisation under section 4A (as inserted by section 33 of the Act of 2006) of the Act of 1925;

"club" means a rifle or pistol club;

"conditions", in relation to an authorisation, means any conditions attached to an authorisation under subsection (8) of section 4A (inserted by section 33 of the Act of 2006) of the Act of 1925;

"nominated representative" means an individual appointed by a club in accordance with Regulation 5.

3. The minimum standards to be complied with by a club before an authorisation may be granted in respect of it are specified in Regulations 4 and 5.

4. (1) The members of the club shall be of good character.

(2) No fewer than 5 members of the club shall each hold a firearm certificate which is in force.

(3) The club shall have a written constitution, which shall include provisions requiring-

(a) that each member be of good character,

(b) that each member pay an annual membership fee,

(c) that-

(i) members, and

(ii) persons who are not members but who attend events organised by the club,

shall conduct themselves in accordance with the constitution,

(d) that persons referred to in subparagraph (c) who attend events organised by the club at a shooting range shall abide by the rules, if any, of that shooting range,

(e) that when a member is notified of the revocation of his or her firearm certificate he or she shall immediately notify in writing the nominated representative of that fact,

(f) that a person who applies for the first time for membership of the club shall make that application in writing to the nominated representative and shall give the names of a proposer and seconder, both of whom shall be members of the club.

(4) A club shall not run any day or temporary membership schemes.

5. (1) The club shall appoint a nominated representative who shall be a member of the club and who shall perform the functions specified in these regulations.

(2) It shall be the duty of the nominated representative to ensure that the club-

(a) complies with these Regulations,

(b) complies with any conditions attached to an authorisation granted in respect of the club,

(c) does not permit its members, while on club premises or attending an event organised by the club, to use a firearm for any purpose other than that of promoting skill in the use of rifles and pistols for target shooting.

(3) The nominated representative shall liaise with the Garda Síochána in relation to the compliance by the club with these Regulations and with any conditions attached to an authorisation granted in respect of the club, and shall meet with a member of the Garda Síochána of the rank of superintendent or his or her representative, whenever requested by the Garda Síochána to do so.

(4) A club shall maintain a register which shall include-

(a) the name, address, date of birth and membership card number of each member,

(b) the details of every firearm certificate held by each member,

(c) the name, address, date of birth and firearm certificate number of each person using a firearm at an event organised by the club,

(d) an attendance record in relation to each member,

(e) the name of each member who holds a firearm certificate and who has not participated in any of the shooting functions organised by the club in the preceding 6 months.

(5) All records maintained by a club pursuant to these regulations shall be-

(a) retained by the club for a period of at least 6 years, and

(b) made available for inspection by a member of the Garda Síochána upon request by that member.

(6) The authorisation granted in respect of a club shall be displayed in a prominent place at the premises of the club and shall be made available for inspection by a member of the Garda Síochána upon request by that member.

GIVEN under my Official Seal,

31 July 2009.

DERMOT AHERN,

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.