The Control of Firearms in Northern Ireland and the Draft Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 2002 - v. 2 : Minutes of Evidence and Appendices

The Committee's report examines the regulations governing the possession and use of firearms in Northern Ireland, the differences from equivalent legislation in Britain, and the Government's proposal for a draft Order to replace the existing law in Northern Ireland.

Overall, the Committee believes that firearms legislation should be consistent throughout the UK, wherever possible.

Recommendations include: the establishment of unified regimes to govern access to replica firearms, young people's access to guns, and the creation of a Firearms Consultative Committee, an advisory body for Northern Ireland (similar to that for Britain) to examine common areas and best practice.

However, the time is not right for a hand gun ban to be introduced in Northern Ireland.

The Committee agrees with the principle of testing the competence of an individual before approving an application for a firearm certificate, although the practical aspects require further work before it is ready for implementation.