The Minister for Justice is proposing the establishment of a new Firearms Assessment and Appeals Authority.

The Gardai will also set up a centralised licensing system for restricted firearms.

Minister Fitzgerald has signed a new Statutory Instrument re-defining non-restricted handguns.

She has also announced a cap on the licensing of certain types of semi automatic rifles but says there will be no changes to the licensing of shotguns or the vast majority of rifles, which account for 99% of licensed firearms.