Mullingar firearms meeting will help reform licensing system

A forum held with Firearms Owners in Mullingar earlier this summer will inform plans to reform of the firearms licensing system.

Sinn Fein Deputy Matt Carthy raised the issued in the Dáil last July. Deputy Carthy asked if the Minister for Justice will establish a stakeholder forum for licenced firearms holders.

In his reply Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Niall Collins, indicated that two forums were held with Firearms Owners in Mullingar last June.

Minister Collins said reform of the firearms licensing system has been under consideration for a number of years: “I can confirm that the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration holds meetings with individual firearms organisations and engages with various firearms stakeholders to discuss these reforms.”

Earlier this year, the Department organised a series of engagements with firearms stakeholders and in February, three national forums were held with the Registered Firearms Dealers in Wicklow, Limerick and Carrick-on-Shannon. Two forums were held with Firearms Owners in Mullingar on June 19, 2025.

“Officials from the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration have also met with various firearms organisations, including the National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC),” Minister Collins said.

The objective of these forums and meetings is to provide a mechanism for ongoing engagement with firearms stakeholders.

“I can assure the Deputy that it is my intention, along with Minister O'Callaghan, to further engage with relevant stakeholders with a view to finding a solution for the licensing issues that have been raised and any other potential changes to policy or legislation that may arise,” Minister Collins concluded.