The laws are tough here, but you can still own guns. Pistols are only for Target Shooting and for members of approved clubs only. Difficult hoops to jump through, but doable. No hunting with handguns allowed, personal defence is not an approved reason to buy a gun. Pistol Club members must do at least six target shoots every year and a minimum of four for each category, eg, if you own a rimfire pistol and a centrefire pistol, you must do four shoots for each, a total of eight. Over 38cal are only allowed on special license and then only for shooting SASS matches and Metallic Silouette.
Long arms can be owned if you: are a 1) target shooter, belong to and attend four shoots a year, 2) if you belong to a recognised hunting club and as such, must attend at least two shoots a year, 3) have a letter from a landowner stating that you assist him/her with vermin/feral animal control.
Our State are a bit more relaxed than other States, compliments of the fact that we have our own political party and have two senators elected. There is a 28 day cooling off period for first gun purchase, but after that they are processed usually within a week or so. If you want to purchase a longarm, you send off a form and pay thirty dollars and if you meet the criteria, it is approved. Our State does not seem concerned with the numbers of guns you own, if you meet the criteria, you are in. Other States, the cops will resist if you already own a shotgun and want to buy another one for example. I once sent 15 permits to acquire away at the same time. The registry rang me up and asked what I wanted them all for. I said I had bought a bunch of guns while working in another part of the State and now was moving home and wanted to pick them up. Ok, no prob, 15 permits issued. My mate in the neighbouring State, rang me trying to sell me one of his shotguns as the Police said he already owned three and would have to sell one before they would authorise any more.
Before the last batch of laws came in, I owned a 223 and a 3006 and a double barrelled shotgun (they had confiscated my Wingmaster several years before). I also owned an M17, a couple of 22s and a 44mag levergun, a 586 and an old 22Browning handgun from memory. Like most of my friends, we have bought a lot more since the new laws came in, I now have over twenty handguns and my longarms are in three figures. There are a lot more guns in Australia since the new laws came in
, haha! A fact that confounds the gun grabbers, they just can't figure it out! I think they must have thought that we would just slink off with our tail between our legs.
Semi auto long arms and handguns with a barrel length shorter than 4" in a revolver and 4 3/4" in an auto pistol and magazines with more than 10 rounds are not allowed for normal shooters, only to professional animal cullers and security guards.
A PITA, but liveable.
