ABOUT SHOOTING AS A SPORT
Shooting is one of the safest non-contact sports where both genders will
enjoy a match on the range.
Target Shooting is one of the safest non contact sports in the world. With a set of well defined rules and regulations shooting can be fun, competitive and enjoyable all at the same time. From as young as eleven years old you can enjoy the friendship, social aspect and sportsmanship in a sport that will encourage positive and professional thinking and self confidence.
Restrictive to a degree with an age limit for juniors and any shooter must not be a "prohibited person". Shooters adhere to the rules and commands of the Range Officer of the day and everyone is ensured of a good time. Happy social interaction with a little bit of exercise out to, and back from the targets and the great smell of burning gunpowder.
Let's look at a typical prospective new shooter; what you need to do?
Decide you want to have a go at shooting - it's quite different to football or cricket.
When you've plucked up enough courage arrive at the range with covered footwear, some form of photo identification and some loose change (about$15) in your pocket. You’ll have to pay a Range Users Fee and maybe obtain ammunition for use on the day. Because you are not licensed you must not remove ammunition from the range. All ranges have strict regulations and required pieces of paper which must be filled out by every person shooting or not, who attends on the day. The Range register, site users fees, attendance records are just some of the papers.
We'll lend you safety glasses and ear muffs and assign a qualified member to instruct you in the safe use of a firearm.
You will first be taken to a safe area (no ammunition) and shown the operations of the firearm. Its safety features, how to grip, how to sight and how to stand, rest or sit with the firearm. You will be instructed on where the “safe direction” is and what to do in case of a malfunction. You will then go through this set of movements and when the person showing you is satisfied that you understand the very basic safety issues you will be allowed on to the range. You will continue to be under the guidance of a licensed person at all times whilst shooting.
Rifle or pistol shooting, it doesn't matter, the rules are the same. Safety first always. Always point the muzzle in a safe direction. Only handle a firearm on the range when commanded to do so by the Range Officer. Do not Load your firearm until given the command to load and make ready and once loaded always maintain a safe direction
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Now
that you have enjoyed a day on the range, it is time to think about
your plans for the future. There is a lot to think about. If you are
going to take shooting up as a sport the first thing you will need
to do is a safety course. There are three Qualified Instructors who are authorised by their Registered Training Organisations (RTO). Ian Travers 4935 1108 is authorised to instruct on behalf of Tropical Investigation & Security Services (TISS) of Mackay. Chris Helliwell 4927 9919 is an authorised SSAA Morinish Instructor and instructs for SSAA Queensland. |
All those Licenced for handguns please note that participation records required by the Weapons Licencing Branch will now be effective in the half-financial-year from 1 January to 30 June . Just to be sure, you should log up 3 match participations in one Class of handgun by 30 June (or 2 of each for several Classes). You will need to supply documented evidence of your participation to each of your Clubs on 30 June (that is, photocopies of your Range Participation Card.
So let us look at Handgun Legislation
To obtain a Weapons Act licence you must meet certain requirements
These include
• Full licence holders must be at least 18 years of age.
• Children of at least 11 years of age can use certain firearms, with adult supervision, under a minor's licence.
• A person is ineligible to hold a Weapons Act Licence if, within the past five years, they have been convicted of offences including misuse of drugs, or weapons, and the use or threatened use of violence.
• A person is ineligible to hold a Weapons Act Licence if they are or have been the subject of a domestic violence order in the past five years.
Take this link to
Queensland
Police
Weapons
Licensing Branch
With this type of licence you may possess or use pistols (category H) other than those in category R for a number of reasons including use at an approved shooting club or occupational reasons. This licence does not authorise possession or use for recreational shooting. You may only wear a concealable firearm in a public place if it is part of your job. There are conditions for the use of the firearms that are outlined when you receive the licence.
The holder of a minor's licence must be at least 11 years of age. A licence may be issued to authorise use under supervision by a range officer at an approved range for the category of firearm, use of a category A or B firearm in primary production in the conduct of the licensee’s employment or category C or D firearms for certain occupational purposes.
As a result of changes to the Explosives legislation, from 1 July 2003 a person requires a licence or authority issued under the Weapons Act 1990 to possess ammunition. A dealer must be satisfied that the person who is purchasing the ammunition is the holder of a licence or authority. The only way a dealer can be satisfied is to sight a licence.
Ammunition stills falls under the Explosives Act 1999 and Explosives Regulation 2003
Firearm
Categories ?
Category A Firearms
(1)Each of the following is a category A firearm if it has not been rendered
permanently inoperable
a a miniature cannon under 120 cm in barrel length that is a
black powder and muzzle loading cannon, depicting a scale model of an
historical artillery piece or naval gun
b an air rifle
c a blank-fire firearm at least 75 cm in length
d a rimfire rifle (other than a self-loading rimfire
rifle)
e a single or double barrel shotgun
f a powerhead
(2) A conversion unit is also a category A firearm
(3) In this section--
"conversion unit" means a unit or device or barrel that is capable
of being used for converting a category A firearm that is a firearm from
one calibre to another calibre.
Category B firearms
(1)Each of the following is a category B firearms if it has not been rendered
permanently inoperable
a a muzzle-loading firearm
b a single shot centre fire rifle
c a double barrel centre fire rifle
da repeating centre fire rifle
e a break action shotgun and rifle combination
(2) A conversion unit is also a category A firearm
(3) In this section-- "conversion unit" means a unit or device
or barrel that is capable of being used for converting a category B firearm
that is a firearm from one calibre to another calibre.
Category C firearms
Each of the following is a category C firearm if it has not been rendered
permanently inoperable
a a semiautomatic rimfire rifle with a magazine capacity
no greater than 10 rounds
b a semiautomatic shotgun with a magazine capacity no
greater than 5 rounds
c a pump action shotgun with a magazine capacity no greater
than 5 rounds
Category D firearm
Each of the following is a category D firearm
a a self-loading centre fire rifle designed or adapted
for military purposes or a firearm that substantially duplicates a rifle
of that type in design, function or appearance
b a non-military style self-loading centre fire rifle
with either an integral or detachable magazine
c a self-loading shotgun with either an integral or detachable
magazine with a capacity of more than 5 rounds and a pump action shotgun
with a capacity of more than 5 rounds
d a self-loading rimfire rifle with a magazine capacity
of more than 10 rounds
Category H firearms
a A firearm, including an air pistol and a blank-fire
firearm, under 75 cm in length, other than a powerhead, is a category
H firearm, regardless of whether it has been rendered permanently inoperable.
b A conversion unit is also a category H firearm
c This section does not apply to a powerhead or category
C, D or R weapon
d In this section "conversion unit" means
a unit or device or barrel that is capable of being used for converting
a category H firearm that is a firearm from one calibre to another calibre.
1 Increased penalties
2 Provision requiring occupiers to take some responsibility for a firearm located in a place.
3 In the event of reporting lost/stolen firearms, your licence may be revoked, if the authorised officer is not satisfied that reasonable precautions were taken to prevent the loss or theft.
4 Attendance requirements to be met (6 months & 3 handgun competitions) prior to applying to acquiring a category H firearm.
5 An unlicensed person must produce acceptable photo-id and sign a declaration prior to touching or using a firearm
6 New members to a pistol club, must among other things, provide a current form signed by the authorised officer that the person is a fit and proper person to hold a licence.
7 The authorised officer can reject an application for a licence renewal on the basis of criminal intelligence
8 A graduated access for persons entering sports or target shooting for category H firearms.
9 Licence can be revoked where a licence fails to satisfy the authorised officer that the licensee took reasonable precautions to prevent the loss or stealing.
10 Increased paperwork for clubs before an unlicensed person may possess and use firearms.
11 Increased requirements to be met before clubs can accept new members.
12 Cannot possess the following firearms with a category H licence: -
(b) If not an automatic, then a barrel length less than 100 mm unless it has an overall length of at least 250 mm, measured parallel to the barrel.
(c) A calibre greater than .38 inch (there are some special dispensations for example, we believe metallic silhouette, Western Action, etc.,)
(d) A firearm with a capacity of more than 10 roundsThe above limitations do not apply to category H black powder pistols.The authorised officer may vary at least some of the above if the authorised officer is satisfied that the firearm holder is to participate in an accredited event. An accredited event will be defined/listed in the regulations.
13 Participation requirements, category H firearms. Every handgun owner must participate in a least 6 handgun competitions (not practice) conducted on different days. It appears handguns will be divided into 4 classes, namely, air, rim fire, centre fire up to .38 plus all black powder and centre fire over .38. If you have a firearm in the last class, there must be a least four attendance’s at accredited events using the firearm from that class. Where firearms are owned in more than one class, a firearm from each class must be used at club organised shoot at least 4 times in each financial year. At least 6 attendances must be organised competitions. After this it seems that club organised practice days will count.
14 Owners of Category H firearms must provide to each club they belong to, the participation conditions of their licence and of any changes to these.
15 Owners of Category H firearms must maintain participation records
16 Pistol clubs will be required to provide an annual report of participation shoots to the authorised officer of club members that are owners of category H firearms.
17 There seems to be a number if areas where the authorised officer or the police commissioner can vary the requirements for a particular individual.
How
do I need to store my firearms?
Firearms must be kept unloaded other than when being used to shoot, except
where the firearm is being used under a security licence.
When not in a person’s physical possession, a firearm/weapon must be stored unloaded in a locked container with the bolt removed or the action broken.
For category
D, H or R weapons, the container must be made of solid steel
and be bolted to the frame or floor of a permanent building.
For any other weapons, the container must be made of solid steel or timber
and if it weighs less that 150kg, be securely fixed to the frame or floor
of a permanent building.
The container also must have a sturdy lock and be kept locked when the firearm is not in use.
| Pistol Hire per day | Visitor $10 | Member $5 | Plus ammo | ||
| Range Fees | Visitors $8 | Members $3 | |||
| Ensure you sign the register and pay your range fees before attempting to shoot | |||||
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| Unlicenced shooters must complete Form 33 upon arrival and a photo ID is required | |||||
| Participation Cards must be signed by the Range Officer before you leave the range | |||||
| National SSAA Membership |
Morinish Branch Amenity Membership |
Competition fees If not both National and Branch member then non member for competition fees |
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Dorley St North Rockhampton |
Raglan |
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| Adult | $70 |
$110 |
$5 |
$5 |
| Family | $53 |
$12 |
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| Pensioner | $53 |
$55 |
$5 |
$5 |
| Student - over 18 | N/A |
$55 |
$5 |
$5 |
| Junior - under 18 | $21 |
Free |
Free |
Free |
| Non-member Adult | $10 |
$10 |
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| Non-member Junior | $2.50 |
$5 |
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Various Rimfire and Centerfire rifles
and pistols and ammunition are available for hire at the range |
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Fees are subject to change For further information contact Morinish Barnch Secretary - Jim Cran – 07 4928 1875 |
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