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Postcard Campaign
"Young People & Licensed Firearms
Countryside Alliance Ireland has launched a postcard campaign aimed at abolishing the unnecessary age restrictions for shooting in Northern Ireland. This follows the publication of a consultation by the Northern Ireland Office entitled ‘Young People and Firearms in Northern Ireland’, in which the NIO offers the public three options:
a) supervised shooting remains with an age limit of 16 as at present;
b) the minimum age for supervised shooting is lowered to 12; or
c) the age for supervised shooting aligns with Great Britain where there is no minimum age limit.
Countryside Alliance Ireland is calling for the immediate implementation of option c) – no minimum age limit for the supervised use of shotguns and air guns. We believe that all available evidence indicates that the removal of a minimum age for supervised shooting in Northern Ireland would have no negative consequences in terms of accidents, but we believe it would be of substantial benefit to the shooting community, particularly competitive shooters because they would be able to receive instruction and training in a safe environment, from an early age.
Indeed, during an inquiry into the matter the House of Commons Northern Ireland Affairs Committee (NIAC) heard arguments for and against allowing young people access to firearms but concluded that they had not received any evidence to suggest that those who start young in the shooting community and become committed shooters in later life pose any significant threat as a group to public safety.
The Association of Chief Police Officers believed that the (supervised) use of licensed firearms by young people in Great Britain produced almost no problems at all.
Given the foregoing, CAI believes that a minimum age of 12 years is unnecessary, and it will perpetuate a disparity between GB and Northern Ireland, which the NIAC recommended be removed.
Copies of the post card are available from;
Postcard Campaign, Countryside Alliance Ireland
The Courtyard, Larchfield Estate, Bailliesmills Road
Lisburn, BT27 6XJ
Or by e-mail from
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please insert ‘postcard campaign’ in the subject box.
CAI would also encourage affiliated clubs and members to send individual detailed responses to this consultation. The above article should provide the basis of a letter which should be sent to:
Eric Kingsmill, Northern Ireland Office, Policing Division,
Firearms and Explosives Branch, Room B4.16,
Castle Buildings, Stormont Estate, Belfast, BT4 3SG
or by E-mail to
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