Gardaí are asking for an increase in tactical training.
Concern has been expressed at the annual conference of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) at the type of weapons used by organised criminals.
Detective Sergeant Daniel Colohan, who has been with the force for 16 years and is based at Anglesea Street in Cork, has explained what type of training they are seeking.
"What we are looking for is an increase in the tactical training element. To have members that are just trained to operate a firearm and receive tactical training in how that would best compliment their training in relation to how to deal with certain situations," he said.
"I don't think it's good enough just to do a one week course to train somehow to operate a firearm and that's it."