Macra na Feirme have reported that 80% of young farmers across Ireland want the right to own a gun, while an Agriland survey reveals that 39% of farmers have been directly affected by crime.
There are concerns that farmers are 'arming themselves' to protect their property over reports of a rural crime 'epidemic' around the country.
Cork-based solicitor Karen Walsh, author of 'Farming and the Law', said that although laws on protection of property have been strengthened since 2011, she would still advise caution.
"Ultimately, if you're attempting to rely on the Acts, you're in front of a court, and in front of a judge and jury," she said.
"They will assess, number one, was the person coming into your property was a trespasser, and it was their intention to commit a crime, and whether or not you behaved reasonably.
"So my advice would be: if you can at all, retreat from the trespasser and try to not put yourself in that position where you have to rely on the Acts."
John Tully, a founding member of the 'Save Our Community' group, which was set up in response to the rural crime problem also weighed in on the topic: "If a farmer has a gun and hears something, let a shot out over the wind and they might clear out."
"We're talking about people with automatic gates, alarms, and dogs. These people don't care."
