Grayfox: Despite being called "Uniform Firearms Laws", there are differences between States. Basically, this is how it works in Western Australia:
• ALL semi-auto rifles and shotguns, and pump action shotguns banned, with (very) limited exceptions based on land ownership/need, physical disability etc.
• ALL firearms are registered and you require an FAL (Firearms Licence). Each firearms is licenced and treated separately.
• To get a licence for a firearm (and you have to do this each time), you need to convince the police you have a genuine REASON and NEED for the firearm. "Reason" is generally "destruction of vermin" or for "competition purposes".
• For competition purposes, your licence will be endorsed appropriately; you can NOT use that firearm for any other purpose, not even hunting.
• A so-called "open licence" allows you to use the firearm for hunting and/or targets. However, you are required to obtain written permission from each landowner on whose property you intend to shoot. Based on the property size and proximity to other people etc., the police will make a decision on what calibre weapon you may acquire. It is difficult for the average person to get sufficient land to get much more than, say, a .222 or .243. Police were endorsing licences to only allow you to shoot on one property -- but a pro-gun lawyer here had that practice stopped.
• "Need" is based on convincing the police that you need, say, a 22-250 for long distance varmint shooting if you already have a 22 Hornet; or that a 22LR Anschutz AST Achiever is fine for target work, but for rabbits you'd rather use a Winchester lever action in 22LR; or that you're not keen on taking your $5000 Perazzi over-and-under out fox shooting. To them, ONE centrefire, ONE rimfire and ONE shotgun should meet all your needs -- they have problems seeing why you'd NEED more.
• The same rules apply for shotguns -- note that duck shooting has been banned for years, thanks to the animal liberationists.
• "Self-defence" is expressly excluded by legislation as a reason for gun ownership.
• There is no such thing as CCW. Handguns may only be obtained on a competition basis, and must have a specified form of support from a recognised firearms club. You will need to have undergone a safety/training course, on-range supervision, and six months probation (in most clubs) before you will get club support. You must then shoot competitively at least once every eight weeks, or support is withdrawn and the pistol seized by the police. Needless to say, using it *anywhere* except on a range will result in charges being laid against you.
• There is a 28-day waiting period for each and every firearms acquisition (sometimes rigidly enforced; sometimes not).
• Gun cabinets (steel to police specifications) are mandatory. These are to be bolted to the wall and floor inside your home. Keys are to be "hidden". Firearm bolts and ammo to be stored separately from the rifle inside another locked section/box inside the cabinet. NO ONE (not even your wife) may have access to the cabinet, unless he/she has a licence to use your firearms.
• No private firearms sales (must be done through your local cop shop or a licensed dealer)
• Adverts offering guns (or parts) or ammo/reloading consumables must contain your licence no. (Makes it easy to check)
• Police may enter your home without warrant to check on your storage, but not without notice.
• Even possessing one round of ammunition for a calibre for which you have no licence will find you charged by the police.
• A domestic violence order against you will see your firearms seized.
• "Medical professionals" may notify the police to seize your firearms if they don't feel you should have them. The right to sue these people has been blocked by specific legislation; you have no method of redress against them.
• If your firearms are taken by police, the onus is on you to prove you are a fit and worthy person to have them back. You go before a sort of "tribunal" to do this (at your own expense).
• A similar situation prevails if your application for a licence/firearm is refused.
• Use a firearm to defend yourself and you WILL be charged.
Look, there's heaps more, but that gives you the main idea.
And, of course, now we're told these rules aren't "strict enough" ............
BT
