I know I'm not here, but I can't let someone's request for help go unanswered if it's something I can assist with ....
Briefly, the situation in Australia is:
1. All semi-auto rifles and shotguns, and pump-action shotguns, are now "prohibited", except under
very special circumstances, such as for some landowners or people shooting certain matches.
2. ALL "firearms" (including airguns) are licensed; you have to show both
reason and
need to the police before a licence will be allowed. "Self-defence" is expressly prohibited by legislation as a reason for ownership. (If you
do use a firearm for self-defence, you
will be charged by the police, and have to go to court.) If the police refuse your application, you have to go before a tribunal to appeal.
3. Stringent storage requirements are in place -- "approved" gun cabinet (safe), with bolt removed and stored, with ammo, in a separate lockable compartment inside. Safe bolted to floor and wall.
4. No CCW for "ordinary" people: handguns very stringently controlled and endorsed "for range use only". (Handguns are the antis next target; specifically, semi-autos -- the push is on to have them banned after the Olympics next year. They also want IPSC banned as it "teaches people to kill".) Handgun hunting? Forget it!!
5. Most places require a 28-day waiting period for a firearm -- this is waived here in WA
if you already own a firearm.
6. Nationwide "training" is in the process of being implemented as a prerequisite to ownership -- at present, it seems as though you will be required to undergo a Tech school course of several weeks duration at a cost of several hundred dollars. This is being fought.
7. "Medicos" can have your licence revoked on suspicion that you "might" be unfit. They are exempted by legislation from being sued (even civilly) if they are wrong.
8. Possession of even one round of ammo for a calibre for which you don't have a licence is an offence. There has been at least one case I know of personally where a person with an
empty cartridge case was charged by the police. (He got off in court -- but it cost him thousands of dollars.)
9. Every ammo purchase is signed for in a register and your full licence and personal details taken at each purchase.
10. Police can enter your home without warrant to "check storage requirements are being met". They do, however, have to give you notice of intent to do this.
Look, basically, that's it. There's a
whole lot more, but I suggest you go to:
http://www.ssaa.org.au , which is the homepage for the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia. About halfway down the page there is a link to State Licensing Requirements, or a similar title. That gives you a State-by-State summary of what you need to do for the "privilege" of owning a firearm in Australia.
BT
