Ahern signs new gun control act into law
Justice Minister Dermot Ahern has signed new gun control legislation into law.
The act bans handguns in Ireland and also introduces a requirement for referees, background medical checks and standards for the safe keeping of guns in the home for all firearms licence applicants.
It also makes it an offence to brandish a realistic imitation firearm in public.
Mr Ahern says the legislation is designed to halt the emergence of a gun culture in Ireland.
