Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 December 2025
475. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of firearms/gun licences issued by the State for each year 2015 to 2024, and to date in 2025, broken down by new licences and renewals. [71035/25]
View answerWhile my Department is the competent authority for the import and export of firearms, An Garda Síochána has a range of functions with regard to the operation of firearms legislation, including the issuing of firearms certificates and authorisations and is the competent authority for the licensing of firearms within the State.
The Firearms (Firearm Certificates for Non-Residents) Act 2000 gives the authority for granting licences to Superintendents of An Garda Síochána. Superintendents, when considering firearms licence applications, are considered 'persona designata' and cannot have their decision-making process fettered in any way. Neither I, as Minister of State, nor my Department, have any role in the issuing or otherwise of firearms certificates.
An Garda Síochána have provided the attached table outlining figures for the number of firearms applications approved for the period 2020-2025 to date. I am advised by An Garda Síochána that its Analysis Service does not distinguish between new applications and renewals in reporting.
The following is a count of firearms applications approved each year 2015 to 2024 and 2025 (to 7 December 2025).
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Number of Firearms Applications approved |
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Application Status |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
*2025 |
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Certificate Printed |
44,007 |
126,728 |
34,910 |
43,240 |
125,774 |
36,113 |
46,926 |
119,419 |
38,778 |
49,562 |
110,028 |
* to 7th Dec 2025
