The Role of Firearms in Violence Against Women and Girls in Northern Ireland

On 9th December, WRDA launched its research on the Role of Firearms in VAWG in Northern Ireland. This research was carried out across September and October of this year and saw 19 individuals take part, sharing their own experiences and perspectives.

By comparison with the other jurisdictions on these islands, Northern Ireland is a heavily armed society. As well as more than 100,000 legally held firearms and over 53,000 firearms license holders, there are still an unknown number of illegally held firearms that are part of the legacy of the conflict. In addition, the particular historical circumstances of Northern Ireland have led to a situation where trust in police is lower than in other jurisdictions, and this is the only jurisdiction on these islands where police are routinely armed.

Northern Ireland also has a particular issue with violence against women and girls. Murder using firearms is still relatively rare, but we know – both from earlier research carried out by Monica McWilliams and from the experiences of survivors – that abuse and threats to use firearms in the home is far more common than that. This research confirms this concern and highlights the lasting trauma that flows from living with constant fear when an abuser is armed.

Many of those who shared their experience with us have not done so publicly before. Common themes across the research included concerns about insufficient vetting processes, which really must include any partner or former partner of the applicant, their GP and the wider family, rather than relying on references, often from people who have never lived with the applicant, or a record of previous convictions. In addition, firearms licenses need to be considered carefully when the applicant is engaged in disputed custody arrangements within the family courts, particularly if following an abusive relationship. The perennial issue of illegal weapons remains something that needs concerted effort to address, and as always there is more need for support for survivors than is currently funded; proper services such as those provided by Women’s Aid should be stable, funded and valued.

The recommendations from this report are focused on ways that we can mitigate the dangers of firearms in homes where abuse might be taking place. Taking inspiration from 2024 regulations brought forward in Britain, they focus on ways to improve vetting before licenses are granted, enhanced monitoring, increased efforts to tackle paramilitarism, and support for survivors. These recommendations will be taken forward by the Women’s Sector Lobbyist who will endeavour to see them implemented.

Read the report here

Written by Elaine Crory, Women’s Sector Lobbyist