The number of gardaí licensed to use firearms has fallen significantly in the last five years, at a time when gun crime has increased to record levels.
Garda sergeants and inspectors have blamed the trend on training difficulties caused by the closure of the Garda's indoor firing range.
General secretary of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (Agsi) Joe Dirwan said the closure meant fewer members now had the opportunity to do the refresher courses needed before a firearms card, or licence, could be issued.
He said even those with cards were now only participating in one training course per year, not three as before. "We're dealing with criminals who have more sophisticated weapons than ever, particularly very high-powered guns they're sourcing from eastern Europe."
There were 26 gun homicides last year, the highest level ever.
Mr Dirwan said the difficulties created by the closure of the indoor range were being exacerbated by the changeover within the force from Smith and Wessons to Sig and Walther Pistol semi-automatic weapons. Training in the handling of these firearms was inadequate.
While three laser-based training aids - called firearms training systems (Fats) - had been acquired, Agsi said they could not teach gardaí about firing in a variety of weather conditions. Army ranges were being used by gardaí but they were not available often enough and there was no night training on offer.
The indoor range at Garda Headquarters, in Phoenix Park, Dublin, closed in December 2005 after a number of ricochet incidents. There were also difficulties with the extraction of fumes from the facility.
Figures supplied by the Department of Justice reveal 3,773 firearms cards were issued to members of the force of all ranks in 2002. Last year, that had dropped, by more than 550, to 3,216. The figures for last year do not include firearms cards issued in December.
Denis Naughten TD (Fine Gael), to whom the figures were released, said while there may be an official policy to reduce the number of guns carried by the force there was no excuse for reducing the numbers trained to carry them.
A spokeswoman for Minister for Justice Michael McDowell said a new indoor range was planned for Garda Headquarters. A tactical training centre had been acquired close to Garda College, Templemore, Co Tipperary, and another facility in Dublin was being considered, she said.
The Department of Justice said the reduction was due to rationalisation in issuing the cards to uniform members of An Garda Síochána. Card issue to members attached to detective branches engaged in the investigation of serious crime was not affected.
