Ireland

Sinn Fein calls for total ban on handguns in North

All handguns should be banned in Northern Ireland as part of efforts to deal with legally and illegally-held weapons, Sinn Féin…

Wed Jan 28 2004 - 00:00

All handguns should be banned in Northern Ireland as part of efforts to deal with legally and illegally-held weapons, Sinn Féin argued today.

In its agenda for the review of the Belfast Agreement announced this morning, the party said it would press for the withdrawal of all British soldiers and a date for a referendum on reunification.

Party president Mr Gerry Adams said: "All parties must use their influence to resolve the issue of arms, in the context of the implementation of the Agreement".

"In addition, the proliferation of legally-held arms needs also to be addressed through the introduction of Dunblane-style controls in the north of Ireland."

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In 1997, the British government steered through Parliament a total ban on handguns following a campaign by the families of 16 schoolchildren and a teacher were shot dead by a gunman in the Scottish town of Dunblane.

Republicans believe there are 40,000 legally-held handguns in Northern Ireland and 133,000 legally-held weapons. Sinn Féin said today the removal of these weapons must be considered along with the disappearance of IRA, loyalist and security force arms.

Sinn Fein also called for:

  • A re-endorsement of the Agreement by all participants

  • The abolition of Northern Ireland's four-member International Monitoring Commission set up to scrutinise paramiltary ceasefires and whether parties and governments are honouring commitments under the Agreement
     
  • Guarantees in the review that there will be inclusivity in the political institutions and that the rights and interests of all sides will be protected

  • The repeal of legislation which allows the British Government to suspend the Assembly
     
  • Recognition that participation in the North South Ministerial Council is an essential right and a responsibility of relevant ministers in the Stormont Executive, who cannot veto it
     
  • A promise that breaches of ministerial office will be subject to sanction within the terms of the Agreement
     
  • Full implementation of the Equality Agenda to create an equality-based society across the island
     
  • Full implementation of the human rights agenda to create a human rights-based society across the island

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