The BBCNearly 900 gun owners in Northern Ireland have had their firearms taken from them in the past two years because police say there were concerns about their continued suitability for ownership.
But the Countryside Alliance said the problem of seizures is complex and can sometimes be caused by minor procedures.
A firearm is defined as a deadly barreled weapon of any description capable of discharging any bullet, bullet or other projectile.
New figures obtained by BBC News NI show that 53,000 people in Northern Ireland currently hold firearms licenses and 97% are men.
Police say most are used in the sports or farming industry, but also include licenses for guns used for personal protection.
As of May 2024, Lurgan was the area with the highest number of legal gun owners, followed by Magherafelt and then Dungannon.
People in their 50s were the most common age group to own a firearm, but about 100 license holders were under the age of 20 and more than 300 were in their 90s.
The figures were released in response to a Freedom of Information request to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
Between May 2022 and May 2024 the PSNI confiscated firearms from 890 license holders.
Firearm license decisions may be appealed to the Department of Justice. More than 100 appeals have been filed since 2022.
Data released by the PSNI on firearms possession did not provide a detailed breakdown of why each attack took place but said they were the result of “concerns about continued suitability to possess firearms”.
PSNI Chief Superintendent Amanda Ford told BBC News NI that firearms are strictly controlled in Northern Ireland.
“The number of seizures just highlights how seriously we take responsibility for firearms possession in Northern Ireland,” he added.
“There are many situations where seizure may be considered appropriate, such as a change in medical condition, involvement in an incident that requires police attendance, arrests, legal proceedings and even an address. It’s not appropriate.”
In Northern Ireland you must have a police certificate to own or possess any firearm or ammunition.
The PSNI said it carries out a number of checks before issuing a firearms licence, including GP medical reports and criminal record checks.
‘Such a small jurisdiction’
But a human rights organization said the number of arrests in “such a small jurisdiction” appears to be high.
“More clarity about the reasons behind the visits and comparators over time and with other locations could shed more light on this issue,” said Daniel Holder, director of the Administration for the Committee on the Judiciary.
“If the PSNI is required to hold a gun a day it raises the question of whether the criteria for issuing licenses should be made more stringent.”
PSNI Ch Supt Amanda Ford added that police rely on applicants to provide them with truthful and up-to-date information, but that they are working with stakeholders to ensure that Firearms Certificates (FAC) holders So that the application process can be expedited.
Department of Health guidelines also say patients should be asked if they have a firearms license during a mental health risk assessment.
As of May 2024 there were 53,605 firearms certificate holders in Northern Ireland.
The PSNI also confirmed that around 1,000 applications are currently being considered.
The figures do not include firearms used by police officers serving in Northern Ireland.
But they include Personal Protection Weapons (PPWs), often owned by ex-PSNI and prison officers.
This includes members of the public who own firearms for things like sport, and farmers will often use them for things like protecting livestock.
Gary McCartney, director of the Countryside Alliance Ireland, said owning a firearm was a responsibility, not a right.
“Every person applying for a license has to demonstrate why they want a firearm and it is properly vetted,” he added.
“Any seizure is one too many and we will always recognize that public safety is paramount, so the public can be reassured of how seriously this matter is being taken.”
Mr McCartney also said that the causes of seizures are not always straightforward.
He added: “For example, if for any reason a home with firearms comes to the attention of the police, usually the first thing to do is to remove any firearms from that home. shall be related to any work of the firearms license holder.”
Siobhan McHaffie is director of operations for the animal charity USPCA.
He said: “With the high number of gun licences, it is of some concern to us about potential public safety and animal welfare risks.
“Of course we are strongly against animal cruelty, however we do recognize in exceptional circumstances that some animals need to be tamed, but only as humanely and respectfully as possible. should be done
“From our perspective we would welcome any strengthening of regulation.”
By March 2024 there were more than 500,000 people in England and Wales who held a firearm and/or shotgun certificate.
The number of firearms owners in Northern Ireland has fallen by more than 10,000 compared to a decade ago.
Police in Northern Ireland have uncovered more than 30 illegal firearms since 2023, linked to illegal possessions and separate seizures from license holders.