Sports and Target Shooters

In summary, the legislation:

• Bans high calibre handguns (above .38" or 9mm) for sporting shooters except for accredited events;
• Bans short-barrelled handguns (under 12 cm for semi automatics and under 10 cm for a revolver or single shot handgun) for sporting shooters;
• Bans magazines above 10 shot capacity for sporting shooters;
• Prohibits possession of magazines without a licence;
• Requires clubs and new shooters to operate under a new scheme of membership and graduated access to handguns; and
• Requires sporting shooters to participate in a minimum number of competitions per year.

Topics

• Eligibility and Membership of Approved Pistol Clubs
• Procedure for obtaining Statement of Eligibility from the Queensland Police Service
• Application for Concealable Firearms Licence (Queensland Resident)
• Application for Concealable Firearms Licence (Interstate/Overseas Applicant)
• Progressive Access to Firearms
• Accredited Events and Limitations on Possession of Concealable Firearms by Members of Approved Shooting Clubs
• Procedure for Obtaining Licence Endorsement to Possess and Use Handguns for Accredited Events
• Participation Conditions for Concealable Firearm Licence Holders (Sports and Target Shooting)

Eligibility and membership of approved pistol clubs

As at 1 July 2003 a person cannot apply for membership of an approved pistol club unless the person submits with their application for club membership the following information:

• if the person is not a licensee, a current ‘Statement of Eligibility’ from the Queensland Police Service (Weapons Licensing Branch), that the person is a fit and proper person to hold a licence. This statement is current for 3 months after the day it is signed by the Authorised Officer, Weapons Licensing Branch; and
• 2 character references from persons the applicant has known for at least 2 years, and
• a declaration from the applicant detailing any current membership of other approved shooting club/s or that the person is not a current member of any other approved shooting club.
  

Procedure for obtaining Statement of Eligibility from the Queensland Police Service

• Submit form QP 515 - Application for Statement of Eligibility to Join an Approved Pistol Shooting Club ( 112 KB) at your local police station.

There are no fees applicable to this application. A Statement or Notice will be sent to the applicant at the address provided.

Concealable Firearms Licence for sports and target shooting

Generally after a person has been:

• a member of an approved shooting club and participated in a minimum of 3 handgun shooting competitions in the 6 month period; and
• completed a course in safety training for category H weapons,

they are eligible to make application for a concealable firearms licence.

The legislation recognises both residents of Queensland and those interstate or International persons taking up residence in Queensland.

Application for Concealable Firearms Licence (Queensland Resident)

Where a Queensland resident wishes to make application for a concealable (category H) firearms licence for sports or target shooting, the applicant must:

• Complete a course in safety training for category H weapons; and
• Submit a Form 1 - Application for a Licence ( 245 KB); and
• Submit a Form 30 - Proof of Identity Declaration ( 41 KB) (if applicable) at their local police station; and
• Application for a Concealable Firearms Licence for Sports or Target Shooting (Queensland) ( 31 KB)stating that:
  1. the applicant holds current membership with the pistol club; and
  2. the applicant has been a member of the pistol club for the 6 month period immediately before the declaration is made; and
  3. the applicant has participated in at least 3 handgun shooting competitions during that 6 month period; and
• Pay the appropriate fee.

Application for Concealable Firearms Licence (Interstate/Overseas Applicant)

Where an eligible interstate or overseas person now residing in Queensland wishes to make application for a concealable (category H) firearms licence for sports or target shooting, the applicant must:

• Complete a course in safety training for category H weapons; and
• Submit a Form 1 - Application for a Licence ( 245 KB); and
• Submit a Form 30 - Proof of Identity Declaration ( 41 KB) (if applicable) at their local police station; and
• Attach a current declaration by the representative of an approved pistol club ( 150 KB) stating that:
  1. The applicant holds current membership with the club; and
  2. The applicant was previously an interstate or overseas shooter who has complied with section 18B(3) of the Weapons Act 1990; and
  3. The applicant has provided the attached documentary evidence to support this application; and
• Pay the appropriate fee.

Extract from Section 18B(3) of the Weapons Act 1990

Progressive access to firearms

A person who is the holder of a concealable firearms licence for the purpose of sports or target shooting is permitted to acquire a maximum of 2 firearms during the first year after the issue of a licence. The following limitations will apply:

• 1 air pistol/ and
• 1 of the following:
  1. a rim-fire pistol; or
  2. a centre-fire pistol; or
  3. a black-powder pistol.

These limitations do not apply to the following persons:

• A person who currently holds a firearms licence of another State and has complied with participation conditions of that State ('relevant authority') and has held the relevant authority for a least 12 months; or
• A person who is authorised under the law of another country to possess a category H weapon for sports or target shooting and in the previous two-year period consistently participated in nationally or internationally recognised competitions.

Examples of internationally recognised shooting competitions -

1. Shooting competitions of the type used in the Olympic Games
2. Shooting competitions of the type used in the Commonwealth Games
3. Shooting competitions of the type used in the Metallic silhouette world championship.

Accredited events and limitations on possession of concealable firearms by members of approved shooting clubs

A holder of a concealable firearms licence, who is a member of an approved shooting club, can possess but not use a weapon with:

• a calibre greater than .38 inch;
• a weapon that is semi automatic and has a barrel length of less than 120mm unless it has an overall length of at least 250mm measured parallel to the barrel;
• a weapon that is not semi automatic (e.g. revolvers and single shot pistols) and has a barrel length of less than 100 mm unless it has an overall length of at least 250 mm measured parallel to the barrel;
• a weapon with a capacity of not more than 10 rounds.
• a weapon designed to be used without a magazine that has a maximum capacity of more than 10 rounds.

However, an authorised officer may authorise the holder of a licence, by a condition endorsed on the licence to possess a ‘high calibre weapon’ if the authorised officer is satisfied that the holder is to participate in an ‘accredited event’.

High calibre weapon means a category H weapon, other than a black-powder pistol, having a calibre of more than .38 inch but not more than .45 inch.

Accredited event means a handgun shooting competition prescribed under a regulation to be an accredited event. The accredited events in the Weapons Regulation 1996 are:

1. a metallic silhouette competition;
2. a single-action competition.

Calibre limitations do not apply to category H weapons that are black-powder pistols.

Black-powder pistol is a firearm that:

1. is less than 75 cm in length; and
2. is either-
   1. a muzzle loading firearm; or
   2. a cap and ball firearm; and
3. c. does not accept cartridge ammunition.

Procedure for obtaining licence endorsement to possess and use handguns for accredited events

Persons holding a concealable firearms licence for sports or target shooting wishing to possess and use handguns for accredited events are required to:

1. Complete a Form 4 - Change of Particulars ( 53 KB). This application must include:
   • Details of the specific handguns and nomination of the accredited event to which the applicant proposes to use the handgun.
   • A letter from their approved shooting club verifying they participate in the specific accredited events.

This application is to be forwarded to the Authorised Officer, Weapons Licensing Branch, GPO Box 892, Brisbane Qld 4001.

There are no fees applicable for this transaction.

Participation conditions for Concealable Firearm Licence Holders (Sports and Target Shooting)

As of 1st July 2003 applicants are required to comply with the legislation concerning participation conditions for concealable firearm licence.

Handguns Classes

The legislation provides participation conditions for licensees who hold a concealable firearms licence for one or more classes of category H weapons.

Handguns are divided into four classes:-

1. an air pistol
2. a centre-fire pistol with a calibre of not more than .38 inch or a black-powder pistol;
3. a centre-fire pistol with a calibre of more than .38 inch but not more than .45 inch; and
4. rim fire pistol

Participation Rates

Every handgun owner must participate in at least 6 handgun shooting competitions conducted on different days during each financial year.

If the handgun owner has firearms in a number of classes, the licensee must use a weapon from each class in not less than 4 ‘club organised shoots’ for the class in each financial year. At least 6 of the club organised shoots must be handgun shooting competitions. All shoots must be conducted on different days.

For example:

If a person owns three handguns that are described in two classes of handgun, the licensee will be required to participate in 8 club organised shoots conducted on 8 different days. At least 6 of these shoots must be handgun shooting competitions.

Participation Rate for less than 12 months

The legislation also identifies participation conditions are to be varied in circumstances where the owner of the particular class of weapon has possession of the weapon for a period less than 12 months.

The participation rate can be proportionally changed based upon on whole calendar months for that financial year, after rounding down to the nearest whole number of competitions.

Authorised Officer Discretion Limitations

In addition, where the holder of a concealable firearms licence provides the authorised officer with substantial reasons for failure to comply with participation rates, the authorised officer may decide the number of times the holder must use the weapon for competition to satisfy the participation condition. The adjustment may be made both retrospectively and prospectively.

For example:-

A licensee will be overseas for an extended period and unable to comply, or retrospectively where an extended illness has prevented use of a handgun.

The participation rate can be proportionally changed based upon on whole calendar months for that financial year the authorised officer is satisfied that the licensee is, or was, unable to comply with a participation rate for reasons outside the licensee's control..

Participation Record

Concealable Firearm Licensees who possess Category H weapons for sport and target shooting are required to keep and maintain record of their participation in handgun shooting competitions ('participation record').

QP 516 Pistol Club Shooters Participation Card provides an example of how you can record your shoots.