To ask the Minister of Justice to detail (i) any steps being taken to improve firearm security in rural areas, and (ii) how breaches are monitored and enforced.

Firearms security in rural and urban areas are all treated with the same high level of individual attention by PSNI. The PSNI’s Firearms & Explosives Branch (FEB) are the firearms licensing authority in Northern Ireland.

Security inspections are completed by trained PSNI staff, in person, at the home of the applicant/FAC holder and agreed standards, in accordance with the Firearms Security Handbook, must be met in order that an application may be progressed towards approval.

PSNI FEB can review (and potentially revoke) a person’s FAC, subject to PSNI being made aware of any breaches of a FAC, including safe storage, or any concerns about the fitness of a FAC holder to continue to possess firearms and/or ammunition. PSNI FEB can also issue warnings, when appropriate, to FAC holders.

Upon notification of any concerns, PSNI FEB will act promptly and, whilst a FAC holders’ fitness is under review e.g. following the breach of any FAC conditions, any firearms and/or ammunition will be seized and remain in police safekeeping until a final decision is made.