Firearms Dealers

Import

Export

Registration

Moving premises

Storage of ammunition

Firearms Dealers - Import

Are you importing from a member state of the European Union?

Yes No

Firearms Dealers - Import from EU member state

Read these instructions carefully before submitting your application.
Complete the application form (MS Word - 183KB) fully
Make sure you have filled in:
(a) the exact makes and models of the firearms
(b) the correct category A-D (PDF-17KB)
You can fill in the form using type or in handwriting. If completing it in handwriting please use black ink and block capitals.
Forward the documentation to the Crime 4 Division of The Department of Justice and Equality. We will issue a document to you which you can use to legally import the firearms and/or ammunition. We will do this as quickly as possible but you should allow 10 working days.
If you are importing restricted firearms or restricted ammunition, you will first need an authorisation to trade in restricted firearms from this Department. Firearms licensable in this country are split into two categories: non-restricted and restricted. Firearms were divided into these categories by S.I. 21 of 2008 (PDF - 103KB) which was amended by SI 337 of 2009 (PDF - 100KB)
In all instances where you are applying to import a Category B firearm you must send us in a copy of either the firearms certificate or the Garda authorisation which has been issued to your customer for this firearm.

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Firearms Dealers - Import from non-EU member state

Read these instructions carefully before submitting your application.
Complete the application form (MS Word - 183KB) fully
Make sure you have filled in:
a. the exact makes and models of the firearms
b. the correct category A-D (PDF - 17KB)
You can fill in the form using type or in handwriting. If completing it in handwriting please use black ink and block capitals.
Forward the documentation to the Crime 4 Division of The Department of Justice and Equality. We will issue a document to you which you can use to legally import the firearms and/or ammunition. We will do this as quickly as possible but you should allow 10 working days.
If you are importing restricted firearms or restricted ammunition, you will first need an authorisation to trade in restricted firearms from this Department. Firearms licensable in this country are split into two categories: non-restricted and restricted. Firearms were divided into these categories by S.I. 21 of 2008 (PDF - 103KB) which was amended by SI 337 of 2009 (PDF - 100KB)
In all instances where you are applying to import a Category B firearm you must send us in a copy of either the firearms certificate or the Garda authorisation which has been issued to your customer for this firearm.

Firearms Dealers - Export

Are you exporting to a member state of the European Union?

Yes No

Firearms Dealers - Export to EU member state

Read these instructions carefully before submitting your application.
Complete the application form (Ms Word - 182KB) fully
Make sure you have filled in:
a. the exact makes and models of the firearms
b. the correct category A-D (PDF - 17KB)
Obtain a document entitled an Authorisation for Export or Removal from a superintendent of An Garda Síochána. A copy will have to be sent to us with your application to export the firearms.
You can fill in the form using type or in handwriting. If completing it in handwriting please use black ink and block capitals.
Forward the documentation to the Crime 4 Division of The Department of Justice and Equality. We will issue to you a document which you can use to legally import the firearms and/or ammunition. We will do this as quickly as possible but you should allow 10 working days.
If you are exporting restricted firearms or restricted ammunition, you will first need an authorisation to trade in restricted firearms from this Department. Firearms licensable in this country are split into two categories: non-restricted and restricted. Firearms were divided into these categories by S.I. 21 of 2008 (PDF - 103KB) which was amended by SI 337 of 2009 (PDF - 100KB)

Firearms Dealers - Exports to a country which is not a member of the EU

Exports to countries which are not members states of the EU are dealt with by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. You can contact them at:

Phone: + 353 1 631 2534
Website: http://www.entemp.ie/trade/marketaccess/

Types of Firearms Dealership Registration

1 Dealer in Ammunition only
This is registration to deal only in the sale and purchase of ammunition for shotguns, unrifled airguns and rifled firearms of a calibre not exceeding .22 inches. The fee for registration is €75 for three years. Click here for more information on registering.

2 Dealer in Firearms and Ammunition
This is a general registration to deal in all non-restricted firearms. This category would include paintball operators. The fee is €1,000 for three years. Click here for more information on registering.

3 Authorisation to Trade in Restricted Firearms
You must first be registered as a dealer in firearms and ammunition before you can apply for this authorisation to deal in restricted firearms. The fee is €500 for three years. Please contact us for more information on registering and an application form.

4 Dealer in Realistic Imitation Firearms
This category relates to dealers who sell realistic imitation firearms and includes airsoft and non-functioning replicas. We are currently establishing this Register and inviting pre-registrations. Click here for more information on registering.

Registering as a Firearms Dealer

Complete the application form (PDF - 21KB)
Lodge it with the Garda sergeant of the sub-district where you reside.
The Garda Síochána will conduct a suitability report on your character.
A Crime Prevention Report will also be made on the location from which you intend to trade. Do not undertake any of the Crime Prevention Officer's recommendations until the Minister writes to you provisionally agreeing to your registration.
When the Garda Síochána has completed both reports they forward them to the Minister for Justice and Equality.
The Minister will at this stage inform you in writing of his decision regarding your registration as a firearms dealer. Should the Minister’s decision be positive, you may start the building work in order to comply with the recommendations of your Crime Prevention Officer.
On confirmation of everything being in order, the Minister will request the registration fee. This is currently €1,000 for a firearms and ammunition dealer or €75 for dealer who only sells ammunition.

Registering as a Dealer in Realistic Imitation Firearms

The Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 was amended by section 40 of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009. It will, on the commencement of the legislation, be an offence for any person to import, manufacture, sell, repair, test, expose for sale, or have in his possession for sale, repair or test by way of trade or business any realistic imitation firearm unless they are registered with The Department of Justice and Equality.

If you are running a business involving realistic imitation firearms, such as a shop selling airsoft guns or replicas, you should pre-register with us now.

Complete the pre-registration form (PDF - 45KB) giving your contact details.
Return it by post to the Crime 4 Division of The Department of Justice and Equality, 94 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2 or by email to firearms_inbox@justice.ie. We will be in contact with you shortly thereafter and will send you an application form once we establish the Register.

Moving premises as a dealer

A dealer should never transfer registered premises without prior approval from the Department of Justice and Equality.

Contact us to inform us of your planned move as soon as possible. We will request a crime prevention report on the new premises.

No firearms or ammunition should be transferred to the new premises until you have received written approval from us.

Storage of Ammunition

1. Is ammunition and/or propellant powder classed as an explosive?

Yes, ammunition and propellant powder are both classified as explosives under the Explosives Act 1875. The Explosives Act 1875 is currently being updated.

2. Is a licence required to store ammunition or powder?

That depends on the quantity stored. There are two relevant levels of storage authorised under the Explosives Act:

Registered Premises; i.e. a premises registered each year with the local authority to store explosives. This term is not to be confused with "registered firearms dealer" (See Q3 below). There are two subdivisions of registered premises called Mode A and Mode B (See Q4 below)
Local Authority Stores; i.e. a store licensed by the local authority to store explosives (See Q5 below).

3. Is a registered firearms dealer required to have authorised storage for ammunition?

Yes, it is sometimes wrongly assumed that being a registered firearms dealer (under the Firearms Acts) automatically means that the premises is also registered for storage under the Explosives Act when, in fact, this is separate legislation. A registered firearms dealer needs to have either a registered premises or a local authority store to store his stocks of ammunition.

4. What are the Registered Premises Modes?

Mode A: A substantial building (constructed of brick, iron, stone or concrete or an excavation in solid rock) or a securely constructed fireproof safe detached from a dwelling at a safe distance from a street or public place. The general limit is 200 lbs of mixed explosives and in addition, 500 lbs of small arms ammunition (or 700 lbs if small arms ammunition only).
Mode B: A substantial receptacle or safe inside a dwelling house or public room. The general limit is 50 lbs of mixed explosives or double this if kept in a fireproof safe, and in addition, 500 lbs of small arms ammunition (or 550 lbs if small arms ammunition only).

5. What is a local authority store?

This is a store built in accordance with the Stores for Explosives Order (S.I. No 804 of 2007) which is licensed by the local authority for the storage of up to two tonnes of explosives. The licence can last for up to five years before it needs to be renewed.

6. How many cartridges do these explosive limits equate to?
Propellant weight is usually expressed in grains with 1 lb = 7,000grains of powder. This table gives a rough guide to the maximum quantity of cartridges permitted in accordance with the explosive limits and based on typical cartridge propellant loads:

Ammunition examples	Typical propellant weight per cartridge (grains)	Reg Premises Mode B See Q4 (cartridges)	Reg Premises Mode A See Q4 (cartridges)	Local Authority Store (2 tonnes)
9mm Pistol	5	770,000	980,000	6 Million
.22 LR	3	1.2 Million	1.6 Million	10 Million
Shotgun	15	250,000	320,000	2 Million
Shotgun	36	100,000	136,000	850,000

7. Which type of storage is suitable?

The vast majority of dealers storing ammunition should find registered premises adequate for their ammunition stocks. The bigger dealers/importers or those storing bulk propellant would probably require a local authority store.

8. Is powder the same as ammunition for storage purposes?

No, controls on storage of powder are far stricter due to the extra safety and security requirements involved, including construction, separation distances, fire precautions, etc.

9. How do I get my premises registered or licensed for storage purposes?

Application forms for registration or licence can be found on our website here. The Fire Officer is normally the authorised officer of the local authority who deals with registration or local authority licensing under the Explosives Act.

10. What about security issues?

Your local Garda Síochána crime prevention officer will be able to advise you on security.

11. When do I need to show evidence of current registration of premises or local authority licence?

on renewal of dealership;
on application to import ammunition shipments;
on inspection by a Government Inspector of Explosives or authorised officer of local authority.

12. Where do I get additional information?

General Guidance Notes on explosives legislation, the Stores for Explosives Order and the relevant application forms are all available on our website. Further information can also be obtained from your local authority Fire Officer.