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New section 2A in Principal Act.
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28.— The following section is inserted after section 2 of the Principal Act:
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“Firearms training certificate.
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2A.—(1) The Commissioner, on application and payment of the prescribed fee (if any), may issue to a person over 14 years of age a certificate (in this Act referred to as a “firearms training certificate”) authorising the person to possess a firearm and ammunition (except a restricted firearm and restricted ammunition) only while—
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(a) carrying and using the firearm for hunting or target shooting—
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(i) under the supervision of a specified person over 18 years of age who holds a firearm certificate in respect of it, and
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(ii) where the firearm is used for target shooting, on the premises of an authorised rifle or pistol club or at an authorised shooting range or other place that stands authorised under section 2(5) of this Act,
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and
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(b) complying with such other conditions (if any) as the Commissioner may impose in the interests of public safety and security.
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(2) Where the applicant is under 16 years of age, the application for a firearms training certificate shall be accompanied by the written consent of the applicant’s parent or guardian.
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(3) The firearms training certificate shall be in the prescribed form.
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(4) Where such an application is refused, the Commissioner shall inform the applicant in writing and give the reasons for the refusal.
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(5) A firearms training certificate shall continue in force for a period of 3 years from the date on which it was granted, unless revoked.
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(6) The Commissioner may revoke a firearms training certificate if of opinion that the holder is not complying, or has not complied, with the conditions subject to which the certificate was granted.
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(7) A holder of a firearms training certificate who, without reasonable excuse, does not comply with the conditions subject to which the certificate was granted is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction—
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(a) for a first offence, to a fine not exceeding €500, and
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(b) for any subsequent offence, to a fine not exceeding €1,000.
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(8) It is an offence under this Act for the holder of a firearm certificate in respect of the firearm to which the firearms training certificate relates to permit, without reasonable excuse, the holder of that certificate to carry or use the firearm while not under his or her supervision.”.
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