General Questions
Can I use my mate's firearm while shooting?
Yes, if you are licensed for the categories of firearms your friend is licensed for, you may use their firearm as long as the firearm is a registered firearm.
When can I lawfully transport a weapon?
Section 3A of the Weapons Regulation 1996 states Possession of weapon for transport not authorised unless necessarily incidental to licence activities:
(1) To remove any doubt, it is declared that a licence does not authorise possession of a weapon for or during its transportation unless the transportation is necessarily incidental to engaging in an activity for which the weapon may be used under the licence.
Examples of transportation for which possession of a weapon is authorised–
1 transportation of a weapon to or from a range for use in target shooting
2 transportation of a weapon from a licensee’s secure storage facilities to a licensed armourer or dealer, and its return transportation
Under Section 25(4) of the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000, a police officer may require the individual to produce immediately to the police officer for inspection the weapon and the photo licence authorising possession of the weapon.
Click here for further information about storage and transportation of firearms.
Click here for Weapons Regulation 1996
Is a Weapons Act licence required to possess/use laser pointers?
No licence is required, however to lawfully import laser pointers, Australian Customs will require an importation of weapons police confirmation (B709A, B or D – import permit). You must supply full details of the item including milliwatt when making application for an importation of weapons police confirmation - B709A, B or D – import permit along with a genuine reason for possession of the laser pointer.
Application for an import permit
Can I take my pocket knife to school?
No. Section 51 of the Weapons Act 1990 stipulates that “A person must not physically possess a knife in a public place or a school, unless the person has a reasonable excuse.” It is not a reasonable excuse to physically possess a knife in a public place or a school for self-defence purposes.
Can I carry a knife for work purposes?
It is a reasonable excuse to physically possess a knife to perform a lawful activity, duty or employment; to participate in a lawful entertainment, recreation or sport, for exhibiting the knife or for use for a lawful purpose. Examples as quoted in Section 51 of the Weapons Act 1990 are:-
A person may carry a knife on his or her belt for performing work in primary production.
A scout may carry a knife on his or her belt as part of the scout uniform
A person may carry a knife as an accessory while playing in a pipe band
A fisher may carry a knife for use while fishing
A person who collects knives may exhibit them at a fete or another public gathering
A person may use a knife to prepare or cut food at a restaurant in a public place or when
having a picnic in a park
A person may carry a pen knife or swiss army knife for use for its normal utility purpose
Click here for Weapons Act 1990
Do I need a licence to possess swords in Queensland?
No, under current legislation swords do not need to be registered to a licence issued under the provisions of the Weapons Act 1990. However, the misuse provisions of Sections 57-59 of the Weapons Act 1990, will apply to persons who possess swords in Queensland.
Click here for Weapons Act 1990
Can I import swords, daggers or knives into Queensland?
Inquiries should be made prior to purchase as some restrictions apply, due to classification of the items under the Weapons Act 1990. Items must NOT fall under the classification of Category M items. A full description of the item is to be supplied along with pictures of the item. If the item is displayed on a website, supply address details of the website to assist with viewing pictures and describing the item. You will need to apply for an importation of weapons police confirmation (B709A, B or D – Import Permit).
Application for an import permit
Click here for Weapons Categories Regulation 1997
Can I possess or manufacture a spud-gun or a spud-zooka?
No, Any spud-gun that is capable of causing bodily harm is a weapon. They cannot be licensed, registered or lawfully possessed. Possession and manufacturing such an item is an offence.
Can I possess WWII and Vietnam Flak jackets?
Yes. These do not require licensing provided they are not designed to prevent penetration of small arms fire and are not classified as Category E weapons under the Weapons Categories Regulation 1997. If you are importing this article you will need to make an application for an importation of weapons police confirmation (B709A, B or D – Import Permit).
Application for an import permit
Click here for Weapons Categories Regulation 1997
Does Military Ordnance require licensing?
Military Ordnance is defined in the military dictionary as explosives, chemicals, pyrotechnics and similar stores. (eg bombs, guns and ammunition, flares, smoke or napalm)
The licensing of explosives, ammunition and their components including Military Ordnance is administered by the Department of Mines and Energy, Explosives Inspectorate. Phone 07-3224 7556 or email explosives@dme.qld.gov.au.
What to do if moving from Interstate
Once you take up permanent residency, you must apply for a Queensland weapons licence.
Section 33 of the Weapons Act 1990 applies to Interstate residents moving to Queensland.
For Category A, B or M weapons, you have a 3 month period in which to make an application for a Queensland firearms licence.
For Category C, D or H weapons, you have 7 days.
These time frames commence when you take up permanent residency in Queensland.
Click here for further information on moving from Interstate.
Click here for Weapons Act 1990
Can I change my address over the phone?
Yes, you as the licensee can contact Weapons Licensing on 3015 7777 to update your address during business hours. Alternatively, you can complete a Form 4A – Change of Address, Name and Weapon Storage Facility and lodge at the local Queensland police station. There is no fee for a change of address. Section 24 of the Weapons Act 1990 refers.
Form 4A – Change of Address, Name and Weapon Storage Facility
Click here for further information about a change in circumstance regarding a weapons licence.
Click here for Weapons Act 1990
What is the form required to change my address/storage facility?
Form 4A – change of address, name or weapon storage facility is the form to be completed and lodged at your local Queensland police station when changing address/storage facility address.
Form 4A – Change of Address, Name and Weapon Storage Facility
My employee has left my employment, what do I do?
You may provide Weapons Licensing in writing details of the employee advising that the person is no longer employed on the property/business and that the person’s authority to possess and use weapon/s on the rural land is withdrawn.
Weapons Licensing will action appropriate follow up.
Click here for further information in relation to this.
Property owners’ responsibilities
If you are a landowner who provides written permission to shoot on the rural land to a person or body for a fee or reward or to more than 50 persons, you must keep a register (permit register). The following information must be contained in the register:-
(a) the name and address of the person or body to whom permission was given;
(b) the date permission was given; and
(c) if permission was limited by time the day the permission ends.
You must keep a register while receiving a fee or reward or you continue to have more than 50 persons.
If permission given to a body allowing its members or members of another body affiliated with the body to shoot on the landowner’s rural land is taken to be a single permission.
Click here for further information for employers and employee on rural land.
If you are a landowner who provides written permission to shoot on the rural land to a person and you wish to revoke that permission, forward a letter to Weapons Licensing outlining details of the person and that the person’s authority to possess and use weapon/s on the rural land is withdrawn/revoked.
Weapons Licensing will action appropriate follow up.
Section 168A of the Weapons Act 1990 relates to particular landowners to keep permit register.
Click here for Weapons Act 1990
Would an open weapons license issued in 1992 with no expiry date still be valid?
No. On 15 January 1997 the Weapons Act 1990 was amended requiring all existing Weapons Act license holders to obtain a new photographic license. Existing license holders had until 30 September 1997 to lodge their documentation and until 1 April 1998 to obtain their new license and reigster the firearms in their possesion. On 1 April 1998 all licenses issued prior to 15 January 1997 that had not been transitioned to the new photographic license, expired and ceased to be in force under the legislation.
Click here for Weapons Act 1990
