C7

Section inserted by Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 (28/2009), s. 40, not commenced as of date of revision.

9H.— (1) The Minister may, if he or she considers that certain imitation firearms represent a threat to public safety and security, and following consultation with the Commissioner, by order set a date or dates after which it is an offence for a person to import, manufacture, sell, repair, test, expose for sale or have in his or her possession for sale, repair or testing by way of trade or business certain descriptions of imitation firearms unless the imitation firearms conform to certain specifications set out in the order.

(2) In this section “imitation firearm” means anything which is not a firearm but has the appearance of being a firearm.

(3) Any order made under this section shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and, if a resolution annulling the order is passed by either such House within the next 21 days on which that House sits after the order is laid before it, the order shall be annulled accordingly but without prejudice to anything previously done thereunder.

(4) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable:

(a) on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or both, or

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or both.