Firearms security in Northern Ireland

Following a serious incident just before Christmas and a recent burglary in Dungiven where firearms and ammunition were taken, leaving all those involved 'extremely shaken', Countryside Alliance Ireland is reminding firearms holders to take every precaution to ensure the security of their firearms for the sake of themselves and their family.

This incident was not an opportunistic attempt to take firearms but may have been a more planned and calculated attack that resulted in a very traumatic event for the person involved. We have seen from the recent rise in criminal activity that there are some people who will take any opportunity to acquire firearms to help their 'cause'.

To ensure this does not happen to you, please consider taking the following steps:

1. Ensure keys to gun cabinets are kept in a secure location. Criminals are aware of the habit of “hiding” keys in drawers so put the keys into a small combination safe or consider changing your hiding place from time to time.
2. Do not highlight the fact that you are a FAC holder or that firearms are kept at your address i.e on social media or show your firearms to friends who do not shoot.
3. Ensure neighbours or other prying eyes cannot see you bring firearms from your house to your vehicle.
4. Surrender your firearms to a firearms dealer or alternate authorised secure storage for safe keeping when away from your premises for periods in excess of one week.
5. Ensure your premises have sufficient security for example, sensor lights, an alarm and locks on doors to prevent unauthorised access.
6. If you regularly attend a gun club vary your routine as to when you leave and return home from your days shooting, and the route you take. This will reduce the risk of being hijacked. Most car doors automatically lock as we set off but if not, lock your doors while in transit.
7. Secure any firearms you have to the fabric of your vehicle. This could be a padlocked chain or wire rope from a loading point in your vehicle through the transport case of your firearm / ammo box. Invest in a vehicle mounted gun safe and ensure bolts are removed from rifles and stored separately in transit.
8. If you are in a vehicle and need to stop and leave it with guns or ammunition in it for any reason, make sure nothing shows which might indicate that there might be guns in it.
9. Ensure you comply with the security conditions on page 1 of your Firearm Certificate at all times.

Any incident where firearms are stolen will trigger a police investigation and any other firearms left in your procession will also likely be removed by the PSNI. Until the PSNI investigation is concluded, followed by the incident report being passed to Firearms and Explosives Branch to conduct a review of your file, none of your firearms will be returned.  With current timescales within PSNI and FEB, this could be a lengthy process.