Over 51,000 licences issued for shotguns and rifles
An Garda Síochána issued 51,508 firearms licences for shotguns, rifles and shotgun-rifles in 2021.
This is a 15% increase in the number of licences issued for these types of firearms compared to 2020, when 43,638 certificates were granted.
Data released to Agriland by An Garda Síochána shows that just under 32,000 shotguns were licensed last year, along with 19,500 rifles and 16 rifle/shotgun combination firearms.
Licences were also issued for crossbows, air guns, pistols and human killers.
| Type of firearm | 2021 licences |
|---|---|
| Air gun | 1,457 |
| Crossbow | 5 |
| Humane killer | 4 |
| Pistol | 1,029 |
| Revolver | 129 |
| Rifle | 19,536 |
| Rifle/Shotgun combined | 16 |
| Shotgun | 31,956 |
| Spare Barrell | 16 |
| Speargun | 3 |
| Other | 59 |
In 2021, a total of 54,201 firearms licences were issued by gardaí across the country.
At 4,879, Co. Cork had the highest number of licences issued, followed by Dublin with 4,032 and Tipperary at 3,674.
Longford had the lowest number of licences issued with 623.
The following table provides a county-by-county breakdown of the number of licences issued by An Garda Síochána in 2021:
| County | Number of firearms licences issued |
|---|---|
| Carlow | 1,656 |
| Cavan | 1,478 |
| Clare | 1,778 |
| Cork | 4,879 |
| Donegal | 2,318 |
| Dublin | 4,032 |
| Galway | 3,303 |
| Kerry | 1,997 |
| Kildare | 2,213 |
| Kilkenny | 1,860 |
| Laois | 1,379 |
| Leitrim | 804 |
| Limerick | 1,800 |
| Longford | 623 |
| Louth | 1,173 |
| Mayo | 2,498 |
| Meath | 2,406 |
| Monaghan | 1,217 |
| Offaly | 1,728 |
| Roscommon | 1,425 |
| Sligo | 757 |
| Tipperary | 3,674 |
| Waterford | 1,709 |
| Westmeath | 1,513 |
| Wexford | 3,535 |
| Wicklow | 2,455 |
| TOTAL | 54,201 |
Gardaí are responsible for licensing and authorising legally held firearms and ammunition.
Anyone wishing to possess, use or carry a firearm or ammunition must apply for a licence to the superintendent of the garda district in which they reside.
A firearm certificate, if granted, costs €80 and is valid for three years. The holder may then renew the licence up to three months before it is due to expire.
It is mandatory that each applicant includes their doctor's details on the renewal form.
Under legislation, gardaí must provide a decision within three months of an application or renewal being submitted.
An Garda Síochána said that every effort is made to ensure that all applications are processed "as soon as is practicable".
