38 Although total suicides (all methods) rose in Ireland from 200 per annum in 1980 to nearly 500 in 2003, gun suicides remained relatively static, averaging 31 self-inflicted shooting deaths each year over 23 years, with an annual high of 50 and a low of 14. Gun suicide is six times more common in rural areas than in cities, and 94 per cent of victims are male. 36 If the average number of firearm suicides reported in 2001-07 (33 per annum) remained steady during 2008, the annual rate of gun suicide in Ireland that year would be 0.74 per 100,000 population, 36 31 down from 0.94 in 1991. 35 In the years 2001-05, the proportion averaged seven per cent. Of 8,547 suicides recorded in Ireland from 1980-2003, 725 (8.5 per cent) were completed with a firearm. 32 From 1995 to 1999 the firearm homicide rate averaged 0.28. 29 Although the rate of firearm homicide in Ireland remains comparatively low (0.61 per 100,000 population in 2006, and 0.41 in 2007), 30 31 gun killings have increased markedly since 1991, when the rate was 0.03. Of the 84 homicides reported by police in 2007, 18 (21 per cent) involved firearms ― eight fewer than the 26 gun homicides in 2006. 26 27 A published estimate of 14,390 firearms held in Garda armouries 28 could overstate the number of guns available to police. Approximately 3,000 officers are authorised in this way to carry small arms. Those officers issued with a firearm authorisation card must complete a weapon training course and earn a certificate of competency. 25 Gardaí are routinely unarmed, with only 20-25 per cent qualified to deploy a firearm. PoliceĪccording to An Garda Síochána (the Irish police force, or Garda), the nation maintains a force of 15,355 sworn and trainee police officers. 23 The Irish Defence Force armouries are estimated to hold between 42,984 and 71,640 24 small arms and light weapons, or 4 to 7 weapons for each member on active service.
19 Government Guns MilitaryĪpproximately 8,500 men and women serve in the Irish Army, supported by 12,000 reserve personnel. If true, this would yield a rate of 9.1 private firearms per 100 population, both legal and illegal. It has been estimated that as many as 150,000 unregistered firearms might also be in private possession in Ireland, 22 suggesting a total civilian stockpile of 393,000. 20 In a 2007 UN survey, 12.4 per cent of Irish respondents reported that they, or someone else in their household owned a firearm or an air rifle. With a confirmed firearm possession rate of 5.6 private guns per 100 population, 19 civilian gun ownership in Ireland has yet to reach one-third the rate of 17.4 firearms per 100 people calculated across 15 countries of the European Union. 17 In 2004 a successful private challenge to Irish gun law allowed handguns to be registered during what became a four year ‘window.’ The number of lawfully held private pistols and revolvers in Ireland shot up from a single legal handgun in July 2004, to 1,842 in July 2008 ― at which point prohibition on further centrefire handgun licensing was reinstated, and the licensing of other short firearms limited (see Handgun Licensing). 11 12 13 14 15 16 9Īlmost all registered civilian firearms in Ireland are sporting shotguns (177,000) and hunting rifles (54,000). 10 The number of certificates has risen slowly since 2000, when 207,000 were on issue.
9 Each certificate qualifies its holder to possess a single, specified firearm, along with a maximum quantity and described type of ammunition. In the year to 31 July 2008, the number of firearm certificates on issue in Ireland was 233,120. 6 7 Ireland is an active supporter of the United Nations process to reduce gun injury (UNPoA). 3 5 The possession and use of realistic imitation firearms in a public place is prohibited.
4 In 2009, the private possession of handguns was curtailed. Licensing of all pistols and revolvers using centrefire ammunition was capped through 'grandfathering,' with new licences restricted to a limited range of small-calibre. 2 3 Although small arms-related death, injury and crime remain relatively low, rising rates of gun violence and firearm ownership in the Republic ― in particular the possession and misuse of handguns ― have become sources of national concern. In order to possess a limited range of hunting and sport-shooting firearms, 1 gun owners must renew their firearm certificates every three years. Ireland has some of the least permissive firearm legislation in Europe.
Gun Facts Full Article Guns in the Republic of Ireland