Antique Handgun Registration

An antique handgun means an antique firearm, other than a pre-percussion handgun, that is less than 75cm in length.

An antique firearm means a thing, mentioned in paragraph (a), (b)(i), (c) or (d) of the definition firearm and manufactured before 1 January 1901, that is one of the following:

• a muzzle loading firearm;
• a cap and ball firearm;
• a firearm in relation to which an authorised officer decides, under section 154, that ammunition is not commercially available.

A Pre-percussion handgun (Non-licensable; non registrable): includes all antique firearms less than 75 cm in length that is a muzzle loading firearm activated by fuse, matchlock, wheel lock, snaphaunce, flintlock or miquelet lock; or an antique firearm less than 75cm in length approved as an antique pre-percussion firearm by an authorised officer under section 154 of the Act, these handguns do not need licensing or registration.

An antique firearm may only be possessed by person deemed ‘fit and proper’ under the Weapons Act 1990.  If a person is deemed not ‘fit and proper’ and found in possession of an antique firearm they commit an offence. 

Section 154 of the Weapons Act 1990 stipulates that Authorised Officers may approve particular weapons to be of particular types i.e. the Authorised Officers may decide that ammunition is not commercially available for a firearm manufactured before 01 January 1901 or the Authorised Officer may approve a firearm to be a pre-percussion handgun if the authorised officer reasonably believes that the firearm:

• Is an antique firearm less than 75 cm in length; and
• Does not use percussion as a means of igniting a charge; and
• Does not accept cartridge ammunition

Section 49 (3) of the Weapons Act 1990 stipulates that the Commissioner is to maintain the firearms register for each antique handgun.

Antique handguns are required to be registered and may be registered to a collector’s licence (weapons).

To register an antique handgun

A person who possesses or acquires an antique handgun must give written notice to Weapons Licensing, within 14 days of acquiring the handgun, with the following information:

• The person’s name and address;
• The type, make, calibre, action, magazine capacity and any serial number of  the  antique handgun;
• The place where the antique handgun is generally kept.

This notice is to be forwarded to the Authorised Officer, Weapons Licensing, GPO Box 892, Brisbane QLD 4001.  There is no fee payable for this transaction.

Registration does not apply where a person has taken possession of the handgun to repair it, or storing it, if the person is an armourer storing it for someone else, or on a temporary basis for not more than 3 months without giving consideration for the acquisition or for the handgun.

“Acquire” an antique handgun means purchase, accept or receive or otherwise take possession of the handgun.

Schedule 2 of the Explosives Act 1999 defines ammunition:

Ammunition: includes bombs, grenades, rockets, mines, projectiles and other similar devices and all types of cartridges (including blanks) used in firearms.

To obtain an Antique Firearms Questionnaire ( 15 KB)to determine if your firearm is an antique.