Aussie shooters get some loving from the Government About time:-D






FROM THE SHOOTERS PARTY MEMBERS

ROBERT BROWN MLC and ROY SMITH MLC 31 July 2008

IMPLEMENTING THE CHANGES TO THE FIREARMS ACT AND REGULATIONS
Everything seems to be on track to ensure that all the changes we managed to achieve in
the Firearms Act recently will become law on 1 October 2008 and will apply from that date. The Registry is expected to write before 1 October, explaining the changes.
One exception is the exemption applying to those wishing to participate in an approved firearms safety training course. On 15 August it is expected that the Firearms Registry will remove the requirement for such persons to undergo a police check and prior approval. Persons wishing to undertake an approved firearms safety training course will then only be required to complete a new form, P650 which, basically, is a declaration completed by the applicant to the effect that they have no prohibiting offences or other problem that would otherwise preclude them from obtaining a firearms licence. A copy of the questions to be included in that declaration is given at the end of this newsletter.
Provided the applicant’s answers to the questions on that declaration form are satisfactory, and the applicant is able to provide adequate photo identification, the
applicant can then handle firearms under supervision as part of an approved course.
The exemption for unlicensed persons wanting to try shooting will remain unchanged (three month temporary exemption) until 1 October. From 1 October unlicensed persons wishing to shoot at a range will be able to do so, provided they provide adequate photo identification and satisfactorily answer the questions on the new form P560. The person will then be able to shoot at a range under the direct supervision of a licensed person without having to wait for any further checks or approvals from Firearms Registry. Naturally these people will not be able to purchase, or take home firearms or ammunition.
The 28 day waiting period will remain in place for all licence and permit to acquire applications until 1 October. From 1 October there will be no mandatory waiting period for licence and permit re-applications or permits to acquire (PTAs) where the applicant already has a firearm of that category registered to them. For this purpose Category A and Category B firearms are to be considered together, so there will be no waiting period for a person who already has a Category A firearm and applies for a permit to acquire a Category B firearm. If they apply for a permit to acquire their first Category
H firearm though, there will be a waiting period of 28 days.
The current computer problem which is holding up PTA applications for those whose licence is under renewal will also be fixed on 1 October – and about time too!

Congradulations! One step at a time right.

Wow.. I dodn't know this.. thanks for the heads up phil!!

Definitely great news --> about the waiting period for the PTA

This ridiculous law is a sore spot for may years.. if you already have a few rifles, why do you need 30 days cooling period for your next one??

Finally the politicians get their heads out and breathe air for a while.

Thanks Phill...I hadn't seen this one either mate.

As Gelan says...it is great news. The Politicians may be learning a little.



Howard's laws are starting to crumble a bit...here's hoping they cave in completely.

Cheers, Vince

I think its only for New South Wales (correct me if I'm wrong).
And it will only bring NSW into line with the other States that don't have the 28 day wait for every purchase. ie Victoria and Queensland.
But from what I've heard phil21,
WA has the worst of our uniform gun laws.
And they need to be brought on line with the other States

tikkat3 after delving back into the the Government net.Your right mate its is only for NSW (bugger) and yes the West is the toughest in Australia.

After looking for and finding the W.A firearms Act and Regulations there are ways around some of the bulls$#@.

Well at least some of the boys get some good news.

phil