Collecting handguns in Australia

[S&W_aussie]

Hi all,

A couple of people have asked me about collecting in Australia. Many people have heard that all handguns are banned here and its almost impossible to own any firearm.

The truth is apart from a few adminsitrative differences all Australian states follow the same basic laws. Below are the laws in my state of Queensland.

• You have to get a police check if you do not already have a longarms license.
• You take the police letter saying you are a "Fit and Proper Person. to a pistol club.
• To get a handgun license you have to be a member of an approved pistol club.
• You have to do a minimum number of competition shoots a year (6 minimum)
• You have to do a 6 month probationalry period in the club before you can be licensed and do 3 comp shoots in this period.
• You can only shoot calibres up to .38 unless you have a special endorsement on your license.
• You can only get the endorsement if you shoot competitions that require lager calibres (Metalic Silhouette, Cowboy Action, etc)
• You can only own 1 c-fire or rimfire handgun in your first year of licenensing plus an airgun.
• You have to complete a handgun safety course (1 day)

Thats what you need to do to get your FIRST handgun. The process takes a minimum of 6 months, plus the time it takes to get your ploice check. Then there is a manditory 28 day wait before your license application is processed. Then it can take a few weeks to get your actual license in the mail.

Once you have your license you an go get your first handgun. Some clubs insist you start with a .22 and work your way up but its not law.

To get a handgun onto your license you have to:

• Find the gun.
• You need a letter/form from your club that it is an appropriate firearm for a competition held by the club.
• You need to fill out a 4 page application for what is called the "Permit to Acquire" which asks you to give a genuine reason for needing the gun and all the particulars of the gun and the disposer /seller.
• You submit the PTA form, letter from your club and pay the $31.10 fee to the local Police station.
• For your first gun there is another 28 day manditory wait before they will process your application.
• It can take up to 3 months to get the application through although I just had one come through in 10 days!

Under our laws you can not own cetain handguns unless you have a security license or a collectors or dealers license. Thes rules are:

• Revolvers with barrels shorter than 4" (100mm)
• Semi autos with barrels shorter than 5" (120mm)
• Hanguns (other than BP muzzel loaders or cap and ball) with calibres larger than .38
• Any handgun with a magazine capacity of more than 10 shots.

I also have a "Collectors License". There are 2 types - pre1947 and post 1947. I have both.To ge this license you have to go through the same initial porcess (safety course, club etc). But also the following:

• You have to be a member of a registered historical society or assn. (Like the SWCA)
• You have to give a detailed explanation in writing of the "theme" you will be collecting to. My "Themes" are "S&W handguns and Colt handguns" & "MIlitary and service revolvers and pistols" ...pretty broad themes but it keeps the authorities happy.
• If you try and collect a gun that does not fir your "theme" your PTA may be rejected.
• For pre1947 handguns you need to submit in writing an explanation of why the gun is collectable and how it fits your theme.
• For post 1947 handguns you have to do the same but also have a letter from you club saying that they agree the gun fits your theme.
• ANY gun on your collectors license needs to be kep "temporarily inoperative" ie must have a trigger lock as a minimum at all times.
• You are not allowed to shoot ANY gun on your collectors license apart from approved shoots organised by the collectors assn (currently only held twice a year)

To get my post 1947 license took me 3 years. I had to go therough all the porcesses I just layed out but it was worth it.

The laws here are restrictive but if you are a serious collector you will jum through the hoops. I think it was worthwhile as I have now built a nice little collection.

My collection currently consists of:

• 1972 Model 27-2 (6" barrel) .357 mag
• 1977 Model 28-2 Highway Patrolman (4" barrel) .357 Mag
• 1959 Model 28 4 screw Highway Patrolman (6" barrel) .357 Mag
• 1977 Model 29-2 Nickel Plated, presentation cased .44 mag (8 3/8" barrel)
• 1981 Model 29-2 Nickel Plated 44 Mag (8 3/8" barrel)
• 1994 Model 29-6 (6" barrel) .44 Magnum
• 1978 Model 66-1 .357 mag (6" barrel)
• 1966 Model 17-2 (K22) .22 Long Rifle
• 1941 "Victory" US PROPERTY GHD marked .38 Special (4' barrel)
• 1917 US Army Model .45 ACP (5" barrel) US PPOPERTY marked
• 1960 Model 12 Airweight, flatlatch .38 Spec. (2" Barrel)
• 1972 Model 59 (14 round mag)
  
• 1849 Colt Pocket Pistol .31 cal
• 1861 Colt Navy .36 cal
• 1963 Colt Python (4" barrel)
• 1965 Colt Python (6" barrel)
  
• 1910 Browning (cased with original cleaning gear and paperwork)
  
• 1851 Deane Adams & Deane .50 cal DAO cap and ball
• 1858 Beaumont Adams .45 cal, double action cap and ball.

Cheers

Mike

 

[BobR1]

Looks to me like you need to replace a bunch of the duds running your country also.

Bob

 

[Sebago Son]

MY LORD...

You have to have a COMMITTEE agree that your next planned acquisition fits someone else's idea of a suitable "Theme"?

Good God.

I see nothing in this summary that could be honestly described as "Crime Control". I see much that is obviously suppression of individual liberties.

Frankly, and forgive me, but I am shocked that shooters and gun owners would shrug this off as no big deal and jump through the hoops like trained animals.

Whatever happened to the gun culture in freedom loving, independent Australia?

Good luck brother and hold the line.... I hope things don't get any worse...

Drew

 

[chud333]

Mike, I must say that's quite a nice grouping of guns you've acquired with all the hoops you've had to jump through. So can you shoot when you want at your gun club or just on certain occasions ?
Is there any sport hunting anymore there ? I'd be glad to sponsor you
if you want to come over here to live. JK JK


Chuck

 

[S&W_aussie]

MY LORD...

You have to have a COMMITTEE agree that your next planned acquisition fits someone else's idea of a suitable "Theme"?

Good God.

I see nothing in this summary that could be honestly described as "Crime Control". I see much that is obviously suppression of individual liberties.

Frankly, and forgive me, but I am shocked that shooters and gun owners would shrug this off as no big deal and jump through the hoops like trained animals.

Whatever happened to the gun culture in freedom loving, independent Australia?

Good luck brother and hold the line.... I hope things don't get any worse...

Drew

Cheers Drew,

Yeah we dont like it but the pro gun lobby is not big enough here in Australia to make much of a difference. Its easier to just play the game Im afraid...otherwise its "no guns for you"...lol

 

[S&W_aussie]

Mike, I must say that's quite a nice grouping of guns you've acquired with all the hoops you've had to jump through. So can you shoot when you want at your gun club or just on certain occasions ?
Is there any sport hunting anymore there ? I'd be glad to sponsor you
if you want to come over here to live. JK JK


Chuck

Hey Chuck,

Thanks for that. I can shoot anything thats not on my collectors license (which is most of them). I have a good selection that I can shoot whenever the range is open and at any range in the state. I shoot regularly and have all the guns at my home in safes...its not that bad once you have actually "acquired" the gun.

Cheers

Mike

 

[chud333]

Glad you get to shoot and enjoy most of them Mike. As you said, at least you are getting to "play" the game. That's the important thing.


Best Regards, Chuck

 

[Aussie D]

Mike,
North Qld here, drop us a line if there are things you are chasing, and I can keep a look out.

Cheers,

Aussie D

 

[S&W_aussie]

Mike,
North Qld here, drop us a line if there are things you are chasing, and I can keep a look out.

Cheers,

Aussie D

Excellent! Thanks mate. Same here let me know if there is anytihg in particular you are looking for.. I may have some ideas where to find them.

Cheers

 

[Aussie D]

Mike,
I am chasing one thing, a 14-6 6inch K frame 38 with the full underlug barrel. If you see one in your travels PM me.

Cheers,

Aussie D

 

[S&W_aussie]

Mike,
I am chasing one thing, a 14-6 6inch K frame 38 with the full underlug barrel. If you see one in your travels PM me.

Cheers,

Aussie D

No probs..I'll keep a look out

 

[Gman56]

very nice collection!! You have to shoot 6 matches ayear to get a pistol. I guess there is alot of good shooters in Australia then!I thought new jersey was bad!

 

[H Richard]

Here in Illinois, the Mayor of Chicago is "Recommending" a $65 registration fee for every handgun. How distant are we from Australia???

 

[thedane]

It seems to me that there are few countries that are better configured for the use of guns. Huge open areas of outback etc. Very, very sad...

 

[DRYHEAT]

I will never complain again about Title II "hoops". It is easier to get & shoot a belt-fed MG here than get a 3" bbl. .44 Magnum there.

Congrats on the fine collection.

 

[hsguy]

Mike, thanks for the information, quite interesting. Do you run into any problems with the 4" barrel rule as most 4" S&W's actually measure at 3 7/8"? We had a SWCA member from Australia who built an underground shooting range on his property and wonder if that is still allowed or are you required to shoot only at a club? Would it be possible for a club to organize an approved shoot for collector guns on a more regular basis such as weekly? Who must approve the shoots? At my club you may shoot any gun at any time but they do have CMP (Civilian Marksmanship Program) shoots most Saturdays to shoot Garands, M1 Carbines etc. which are considered collector guns by many. Good luck, you have certainly been persistent in building a fine collection despite the challenges!

 

[1 old 0311]

Great collection and THANKS for posting the 'hoops' you have to jump through. HOPEFULLY readers here will realize freedoms CAN be taken away.

 

[woodsltc]

Cheers Drew,

Yeah we dont like it but the pro gun lobby is not big enough here in Australia to make much of a difference. Its easier to just play the game Im afraid...otherwise its "no guns for you"...lol

After reading this thread it comes to mind how thankful we should all be for the strength of the NRA............anyone on this forum that complains about getting mailings or any of the other numerous "minor" things they complain about regarding the NRA "SHOULD BE REQUIRED" to read the list of things the Aussies have to do just to own a handgun.

If not for the efforts of the NRA and the grace of God, that would be our fate, too!!


Don

 

[Armyphotog]

I'm truly sorry to hear about your predicament in Australia. I always had a warm spot in my heart for your country, and thought of it as sort of a last frontier. I can't imagine how you had your rights taken away from you like that. Is their no way to start a petition or something and get your rights back. That is so sad.

 

[Silversmok3]

Thanks S&W Aussie for sharing that perspective.

Out of curiosity were you around during the Port Arthur controversy, and how did the country progress from a society that welcomed firearms pre-incident to the current backward state it is today ?Perhaps you can share some lessons we can apply towards adressing certain retrograde areas in our own nation.