Oh hey a letter from the police I wonder what this sa- OH SNAP RIFLE LICENSE ARRIVED!

[threeseven]

I checked my PO box today and to my great joy, I found my Class A & B Rifle License had arrived. It only took the police 2 months to process the application - quite extraordinary considering my cousin's application took a little over 4 months... and he's a police officer. It's not fair to think of it as 2 months of waiting though - I've been wanting a rifle license since I was about 14. My license allows me to use any legal weapons for recreation (hunting/shooting on friend's property) and in shooting clubs/ranges... which, I suppose, is also recreation. The license itself is a delightful peach colour. I look like some kind of dishevelled, Whiskey-soaked hobo in the picture but then I guess everyone does on these sort of things.

I am now entitled to own, as quoted from the Queensland Weapons Categories Regulation 1997, Weapons Act 1990:

Category A

• Miniature cannon under 120cm in barrel length that is a black powder and muzzle loading cannon, depicting a scale model of an historical artillery piece or naval gun (YES! I ALWAYS WANTED ONE OF THESE!)
• Air rifle
• A blank-fire firearm at least 75 cm in length
• Rimfire rifle (other than a self-loading rimfire rifle)
• Single or double-barrel shotgun
• Powerhead

Category B

• Muzzle-loading firearm
• Single shot centrefire rifle
• Double barrel centrefire rifle
• Repeating centrefire rifle
• Break-action shotgun and rifle combination

It's certainly not AK or AR territory, but it's a lot more than most people are allowed to own in this country. My plan at the moment is to acquire 2-3 Lee-Enfields, probably a Mosin and Kar 98 down the track, maybe a K-31. I'll probably pick up something like a Remington 700 in .300WSM or .308 at some stage, maybe a couple of shotguns (no pump-actions though, sadly). Who knows. The real thing that gets me down though is the calibre restrictions - I can't own a .50 calibre bolt-action. Maybe in 10 years (provided Australia still allows people to own guns in 10 years) when I've got some money to throw around I'll get some smith to build me something in .498

In case anyone is interested, here is the Class R weapons list. These are, for all intents and purpose, restricted. Pick how many of these you own, are allowed to own, or can use to defend yourself with in a country with real gun laws.

Category R

• Machinegun or submachine gun that is fully automatic in its operation and actuated by energy developed when it is being fired or has multiple revolving barrels, and any replica or facsimile of a machinegun or submachinegun that is not a toy
• Firearm capable of firing 50 calibre BMG cartridge ammunition
• Antipersonnel gas and an antipersonnel substance of a corrosive, noxious or irritant nature or that is capable of causing bodily harm, and any weapon capable of discharging the gas or substance by any means
• Acoustical antipersonnel device of an intensity that is capable of causing bodily harm
• Electrical antipersonnel device of an intensity that is capable of causing bodily harm;
• A hand grenade, other than an inert hand grenade, and an antipersonnel mine
• Rocket launcher, recoilless rifle, antitank rifle, a bazooka or a rocket propelled grenade type launcher
• Mortar, all artillery and any incendiary or inflammable device containing any substance capable of causing bodily harm or damage to property
• Any crossbow designed to be discharged by the use of 1 hand (that is not a toy pistol crossbow) that when discharged is capable of causing damage or injury to property or capable of causing bodily harm
• A chinese throwing iron that is a hard non-flexible plate having 3 or more radiating points with 1 or more sharp edges in the shape of a polygon, trefoil, cross, star, diamond or geometric shape and constructed or designed to be thrown as a weapon
• A flail or similar device constructed and designed as a weapon consisting of in part a striking head and which, if used offensively, is capable of causing bodily harm
• A device known as a ‘manrikiguisari’ or ‘kusari’, consisting of a length of rope, cord, wire or chain fastened at each end to a geometrically shaped weight or handgrip and constructed or designed for use as a weapon
• A device known as a knuckleduster or any device made or adapted for use as a knuckleduster and which, if used offensively against a person, is capable of causing bodily harm
• A weighted glove designed or constructed to be used as a weapon
• A mace or any similar article (other than a ceremonial mace made for and used solely as a symbol of authority on ceremonial occasions)
• A silencer or other device or contrivance made or used, or capable of being used or intended to be used, for reducing the sound caused by discharging a firearm
• A device, not a toy, constructed or designed as a telescopic baton, the extension of which is actuated by the operation of a mechanical trigger.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Man! And I thought we were screwed up.

A mace (club) is on the list with a grenade?!?!?!

This comfirms that politicians are morons regardless of their host country:banghead:

 

[starfuryzeta]

A device known as a ‘manrikiguisari’ or ‘kusari’, consisting of a length of rope, cord, wire or chain fastened at each end to a geometrically shaped weight or handgrip and constructed or designed for use as a weapon

I didn't know that Australia had such a problem with roving bands of ninjas.

Congrats on the license, though.

 

[G21NE]

You need a license to own an air rifle?

Thank God I live in the USA!!

Are Australians still allowed to vote or does the Govenment take care of that too?

 

[geekWithA.45]

Sincere congratulations on getting your license, and condolences on needing one.

(But hey, we all do what we gotta do, ya know?)

Welcome to the wonderful world of the armed citizen!

And btw, I had a kusari when I was in college. I got rid of it after injuring myself for the 5th time, and switched to swords

 

[BenW]

You need a license to own an air rifle? Thank God I live in the USA!!

I wouldn't say that too loudly, considering what some US legislators would like to do re: restricting air rifles.

Congrats on the license threeseven! So what exactly is the Class R designator? Does that mean you need a Class R license to own them, or does it mean those items cannot be owned by citizens under any circumstances?

 

[threeseven]

Restricted weapons. Maybe you could get one if God signed the form for you.

 

[Kaxter]

A weighted glove designed or constructed to be used as a weapon

And I thought Missouri was awful.

 

[George Hill]

Liscense for an air rifle? tsk tsk tsk.

Congratulations... so what are you looking to get?

 

[TheOtherOne]

Sincere congratulations on getting your license, and condolences on needing one.

(But hey, we all do what we gotta do, ya know?)

My feelings exactly. Those of us in many states in the U.S. jump through the hoops to get our CCW and it is a great feeling when you first get the license and the privilege to protect your own life is finally granted to you. It's not until you really start thinking about it that it makes you furious that you had to ask for permission in the first place.

Step in line because that's the way it is and will continue to head.

 

[seeker_two]

Congratulations....


Have they started regulating rocks & pointed sticks yet?...

 

[Bill Hook]

Uh, PRNJ requires subjects to get approval for BB guns.

 

[Blackcloud6]

An AR is not a Class B, repeating centerfire rifle?

 

[threeseven]

Class A & B weapons are restricted to bolt, pump, lever or break-action. Class C is semi-autos (you can get these for things like livestock control on farms and such). Class D is full-auto, police and military units only.

 

[Beetle Bailey]

Sorry, I am not familiar with Austrailian gun laws. Are you allowed or is it otherwise possible to get handguns?

Also, congrats on the license. I think you'll enjoy the Enfields. I got a No. 4 MKII recently that is quickly becoming one of my favorites. On New Years Day, I was able to fire a .50 BMG rifle for the first time (only 175 yards ) and it was pretty cool. Not terribly practical for me, as the whole set-up weights about 40lbs. and my county (Los Angeles County) has either already outlawed or is trying to outlaw the .50 BMG rifle sales (don't think I can manage to purchase one before they ban the sale of 'em ).

Also, since I live in the State of California (many forum-members call it "People's Republic of California", "Kalifornistan", "Apocalyptic Vision of the Future" and other not so nice names ), I am allowed to purchase a few semi-auto rifles: SKS, Ruger Mini-14, M1 Garand, M1A, M1 carbine, and some assorted travesities. However, anyone who already owned an AR or AK before the ban can keep it. We also can't have grenade launchers as they are classified as "destructive devices." Also, no grenades, not even inert ones.

Oh yeah, I can also have the Ruger 10/22 which is a semi-auto rimfire. But I don't think I can have a miniature naval cannon so I think you have me beat .

 

[threeseven]

Technically, it's possible to get handguns, but it certainly isn't easy.

Essentially, you have to first pass a handgun safety course (I had to pass a rifle safety course to get my rifle license, also). To actually get the license, you must be a member of a shooting organisation and partake in atleast four competitions per year.

Once (if) you get the license, you are not allowed to own any handguns for 6 months. For the next 6 months after that, you are allowed to own a single .22 calibre handgun. After that, you are allowed to own as many as you like as long as none of them are .40 calibre and above. Yes, the arbitrary calibre restrictions are present here too.

That makes it seem fairly simple, but it's not. There is much hoop-jumping to take place if you want a handgun license.

Did I mention I'm not able to use ANY object, weapon or firearm of any description to protect myself in this country? If I were attacked and used 'excessive force' in the unarmed defence of myself, I would end up charged.

 

[Politically Incorrect]

A chinese throwing iron that is a hard non-flexible plate having 3 or more radiating points with 1 or more sharp edges in the shape of a polygon, trefoil, cross, star, diamond or geometric shape and constructed or designed to be thrown as a weapon

What if it's made in Korea?

 

[Blackcloud6]

Did I mention I'm not able to use ANY object, weapon or firearm of any description to protect myself in this country? If I were attacked and used 'excessive force' in the unarmed defence of myself, I would end up charged.

Wow, that is scary! How long has the law been like this? They expect you to just take a beating, get stabbed, raped, kicked punched, shot etc? Sounds like the bad guys get more protection than the good guys over there.

 

[greyhound]

Congrats on your license! Good on ya for keeping civilian use of firearms alive as best you can despite draconian laws!

Geez, and I though it was intrusive to get the Maryland State Police to "NOT DISSAPROVE" my handgun purchases!

Is it true (I think I read here before) that you have to leave your weapons"

a/ at the shooting club

b/ if at home, broken down and locked in a certain type of safe, subject to inspection?

As far as self defense goes, if I understand it, all these gun laws are in reposnse to a couple high profile mass killings, so why the big crack down on self defense? Doesn't make sense to me.

 

[femoralis]

Hmmm... I thought Australians couldn't own pump action weapons? Can you clarify, please?

 

[GM7RQK]

Congratulations threeseven, just starting to look into getting my FAC over here, sheesh

Have fun.

 

[greyhound]

Good for you, too, for all the same reasons.

How hard is it to own guns in Scotland?

I'll share a little tale about Maryland, one of the least gun friendly states in the US:

So in Nov 2002, right after the DC sniper shootings here, I decide that I would like to protect myself (never even held a gun before).

I go online, and find out that in Md, a new handgun owner has to take a Safety Course and get a little card saying so. The official state website says the class is given by the State Police one Wednesday evening a month, and lasts 2 hours. Ok, if that's what it takes, thats what it takes.

So I am looking at revolvers at the gun shop, and mention that I guess I'll have to go take the class at Md State Police HQ before I can buy. All the gunshop employees break out into guffaws and one old wag says "Good Lord, son, all you have to do is watch a 15 minute video right over there in that chair."

I watch the video, learn nothing (and I could have used some learning, actually, as a newbie) and buy a gun. (Well we have to wait 7 days and be "NOT DISAPPROVED" by the State Police, but I did fill out the paperwork.)

I took the NRA Basic Handgun class , btw, so I would know what I was doing.

I know none of this is as bad as Scotland or Australia, or even some states in the US. Its amazing how varied the gun laws are in this nation. In Oz or UK is there any difference by jurisdiction, or is it all the same?

Good luck to all our friends overseas!

 

[GM7RQK]

Thanks greyhound, getting a licence over here is a long drawn out process, for target shooting you need to be a member of an approved club for 6 months, have a home visit to examine your gun safe (lots of rules there) and show good reason for every gun you want to own (many areas will frown on 2 similar guns), pistols are not allowed under any circumstance and even some air guns over here require a licence. It would take me all day to type all the details here and I don't want to hijack the thread but here is a link to the Metropolitan Police firearms page if you want to read more. And yes the same rules apply all over the UK.

Stephen.

 

[Butch]

What really scares me is the number of replys to this thread , that didn't know things were that bad in Aussieland, England & even some states in the US.

And you guys complain about how often you get things from the NRA. Try reading some of it , you might learn what is going to happen where you live, if you & others don't act now.:banghead: