Lodgement of an Application

According to the Weapons Act 1990, applications to renew a weapons licence lodged later than the day before the expiry date cannot be approved.

If you lodge the renewal application on or after the expiry date of your licence

• The Authorised Officer, Weapons Licensing Branch, will be obliged in law to refuse the application.
  
• You will be refunded the licence fee, less administration costs.
  
• You will have to lawfully dispose of any firearm(s) / weapon(s) held in your possession under authority of the expired licence. You will have to make alternative arrangements in relation to the possession and storage of your firearm(s) / weapon(s). You can no longer lawfully possess firearm(s) / weapon(s) previously held under this licence until a fresh licence is issued.

If you have not lodged your application to renew a licence at least the day before the expiry date of your licence, and wish to continue to possess firearms / weapons

• You will have to submit a fresh Form 1 application. New applications are subject to an application fee, in addition to the appropriate licence fee. As a new applicant, you will have to meet all the prerequisites for a new licence. You will not be required to undergo a Course in Safety Training for Weapons if this application is lodged within 6 months of the expiry of your previous licence.
  
• You will have to make alternative arrangements in relation to the possession and storage of your firearm(s) / weapon(s). You can no longer lawfully possess firearm(s) / weapon(s) previously held under your expired licence until a fresh licence is issued.

If you choose not to lodge your application to renew a licence and no longer wish to be licensed to possess firearms / weapons

• You will only be able to retain possession of your firearm(s) / weapon(s) until the time when your current licence expires. After that date, you will be unlicensed.
  
• Before you become unlicensed, you will have to make alternative arrangements in relation to the possession and storage of your firearm(s) / weapon(s) and advise Weapons Licensing Branch of these arrangements.