New legislation governing the legal use of guns in Northern Ireland will allow paintballing clubs to operate for the first time without the need for a firearms licence, it can be revealed today.

The move will bring Northern Ireland's gun laws into line with regulations introduced in the rest of the UK after the Dunblane School massacre in 1996.

The new Firearms Order 2004, which will govern the use of all legally held guns, will become law at the beginning of next month.

Security Minister Ian Pearson welcomed the new laws, which he said would be accompanied by explanatory guidance for the public.

Changes to the law will include:

1. An increase in the duration of firearms certificates from three to five years.

2. De-certification of low powered air guns and deactivated firearms.

3. A period of supervised shooting for first time certificate holders.

4. Provision for the borrowing of shotguns and estate rifles.

5. Provision for paintball guns to be used without the need for a firearms certificate.

6. Provision for transactions involving the exchange of one shotgun for another to be carried out by firearms dealers;

7. Provision for the PSNI's civilian support staff to play a greater role in the firearms licensing administration.

Mr Pearson said: "I believe that the new controls are relevant, effective and proportionate and that they strike a balance between public safety and the reasonable expectations of those who enjoy shooting as a sport or leisure pursuit and the firearms trade."

Source: flagpull.com

The topic title is wrong, your implyign that ireland and northern ireland are the same when they aren't. Ireland is a free country while northern ireland is part of the UK.

United Kingdom is made up of:

England
Scotland
Northern Ireland
Wales

Sorry man.. I'm not the source...

but its still cool lol