Provisions in the act include a ban on handguns; a ban on 'practical shooting'; ministerial powers to prohibit particular firearms or categories of firearms; a requirement for referees, background medical checks and standards for the safekeeping of guns in the home; radically tightened licensing procedures and new regulations for target shooting clubs and ranges.

However, the man-who did not wish to be named-said that it makes it “nearly impossible” to get licenses for some calibres or sell them on to other licensed gun owners.

“I don't think criminals go down to Henry Street to get their firearms licensed. The sport that I was doing, practical shooting, has been banned and described as 'similar to combat training'. It's a dynamic shooting sport with movement, as opposed to static target shooting and it's internationally recognised. It is the minority of shooting sports and it will now be practically non-existent,” he said.

“The law is not all bad. I think most people are happy with the new three-year licensing system and some regulations.”

Mr Ahern said that “experience in other countries shows us that any relaxation of controls on gun ownership or registration very quickly results in dramatic growth in firearms with many longer term negative downstream consequences. I will not allow that happen on my watch”.

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