Derry councillors raise concerns about registration of firearms for those without internet
Derry City and Strabane District Council will contact the PSNI and the Minister of Justice, requesting more accessible options to register firearms for those without access to the internet.
At December’s council meeting members were presented with a recent motion from Mid Ulster District Council highlighting the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s new online firearms licensing system, which requires applicants to renew and manage their firearm certificates exclusively through a digital portal.
The motion noted that while online processing may improve efficiency, it could also present difficulties for older certificate holders and others within rural communities who may not have ready access to email or smart phones.
Mid Ulster District Council representatives agreed to write to the Chief Constable of the PSNI Jon Boutcher and to the Minister of Justice Naomi Long expressing concern about the lack of an accessible alternative for applicants without digital access, urge the PSNI to introduce an alternative application, and write to the Equality Commissioner to seek their opinion on the current online portal only arrangements.
Sinn Féin councillor for the Sperrin DEA Fergal Leonard successfully proposed that council, at Mid Ulster’s request, also contact the Chief Constable, Minister, and Equality Commissioner.
He said there could be difficulties for many rural constituents, who have no ‘digital connection’.
“I know [Economy] Minister Caoimhe Archibald announced 9,000 more homes are to be connected [in rural areas], but I still think there is going to be an issue,” he said. “So I propose we follow what Mid Ulster has done.”