A series of anti-crime measures were agreed by the Cabinet today which will see a mandatory minimum sentence introduced for possession of a firearm in certain circumstances.
Mandatory jail terms of between five and ten years will be introduced for possession a gun in suspicious circumstances, or with criminal intent or with intent to endanger life.
Brandishing a gun to resist arrest or to hi-jack a vehicle will also result in the mandatory sentence.
The Government also plans to issue detailed criteria for which firearms can be legally held, based on calibre, action type and muzzle energy. Modifying a gun, by sawing off it's barrel to make it shorter, is also due to become an offence.
Prior to the introduction of the new firearms rules an amnesty period will be held to allow people who hold an old firearm not in compliance with the rules, and that has not been used for a crime, to surrender it.
Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, said: "These amendments address a wide range of important issues. Taken together with the proposals already contained in the Bill, they will ensure that the criminal law will be updated and strengthened in several key areas.
"I have, in particular, been concerned for some time to strengthen the hand of the gardaí in dealing with firearms offences."
Included in the package is making membership of a criminal gang an offence and establishing a register of drug offenders. Supplying drugs to prisoners will now become an offence.
Attacking a member of the emergency services is also due to become an offence.
The new legislation will form part of the Criminal Justice Bill 2004 by way of a series of amendments. This is expected to come before the Oireachtas over the next few months.
The Minister of State Brian Lenihan is planning to update the Children's Act to permit the introduction of anti-social behavior orders for under-18s.
Gardaí are also to be given extra time to question prisoners. Detention periods are due to be increased to up to 24 hours for arrestable offences.