Enhancements to Weapons Licensing Application Procedures

The QPS Weapons Licensing Branch is adopting a new computer system from 30 November. The new system will help streamline weapons licensing applications.

There are some important changes associated with the implementation of this new system.

Applications for a Permit to Acquire (PTA)

Applications for a Permit to Acquire (PTA) no longer have to be printed at police stations. Instead, weapons licence holders can obtain the new Application for a Permit to Acquire (Form 28) from the Weapons Licensing Forms section of the QPS website or your local police station.

Once completed, the Application for a Permit to Acquire must be lodged at a police station along with payment of the prescribed fee. Once the application fee has been paid and the station notation completed, the original application can be forwarded to the Weapons Licensing Branch by either the applicant or the police station.

It is necessary for applications for a Permit to Acquire to be processed from the original application form. Any facsimile copies received will not be processed.

Application forms have been redesigned to streamline application processing. You will notice that some forms have been changed to ask more specific questions. This will reduce the need for the Weapons Licensing Branch to contact applicants to ask follow-up questions and will ultimately speed up processing times.

There will no longer be a requirement for independent verification of documents (by JP’s for example) for any new application type. Weapons licensing forms have been redesigned to cater for these changes (in particular the Form 30 Proof of Identity Declaration).

In preparation for the implementation of the new system, the Weapons Licensing Branch will be experiencing delays to service to enable the necessary data migration and commencement of the new Weapons Licensing Management System.

Applications can still be submitted during this period, however processing times will be affected. On commencement of the new system additional work will be undertaken to minimise the delays to these services.

The QPS thanks members of the public for their patience during this period while we create a more convenient service for the public.

New Online System

On 4 June 2010 the Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Emergency Services, The Honourable Neil Roberts, made the following media announcement.

04/06/2010

BLIGH GOVERNMENT FUNDING DELIVERS NEW ONLINE WEAPONS LICENSING SYSTEM

Applying for and renewing a weapons licence in Queensland is set to be streamlined with the introduction of a new online weapons licensing system, Police Minister Neil Roberts announced today.

Mr Roberts said the new system would replace the current mainframe system and four ancillary applications.

"There are strict gun laws in place in Queensland that requires every weapon to be registered with the Queensland Police Service," Mr Roberts said.

"Currently more than 100,000 police station attendances are required each year by members of the public to lodge and pay licence, renewal and permit to acquire applications and more than 100,000 firearm transactions from gun dealers are managed using paper forms and manual data entry.

"Developing the new online capabilities will allow members of the public to submit their details on the Internet, freeing up police officers and civilian staff to undertake other functions."

Stage one of the two-stag e implementation program is forecast for completion by the end of 2010, with stage two forecast to be completed during 2011.

Stage one will include design and development of the software and 'go-live' on the new system, while stage two will incorporate further enhancements including integration with Policelink, the new non-urgent police contact service.

Mr Roberts said the Queensland Police Service had undertaken considerable research into the most suitable replacement for the existing licensing system.

"This included examining what systems are used in other police jurisdictions in Australia and overseas," Mr Roberts said.

"The new system will interface with the Queensland Police Records and Information Exchange (QPRIME) system giving police the ability to have immediate and up to date information for operational policing needs."

Mr Roberts said those people applying for a weapons licence would continue to be subject to strict probity requirements.

Each new applicant for a licence will subsequently be interviewed in person by police during which time proof of identity will be verified.

People renewing their licence or obtaining a Permit to Acquire will be monitored through the police Queensland Police Records and Information Management Exchange System (QPRIME).

From August 1, 2010 a new 5 year firearms licence will cost $210.75 including both the licence and application fee, while a permit to acquire a weapon will cost $30.00. Renewing a firearms license for five years will cost $131.25.