Becoming a Licenced Pistol Shooter in Queensland
The following is a summary of the process to obtain a handgun licence (Category H) in Queensland. For more details, please refer to the website of the Weapons Licencing Branch of the Queensland Police – http://www.police.qld.gov.au/programs/weaponslicensing/
Before you can Join the Club
Before you can join a pistol club you must first obtain a Statement of Eligibility from Queensland Weapons Licensing. An applicant must complete the form QP515 (which can be obtained from your local police station or can be downloaded the form from the Queensland Police Website
The competed form and the documents specified in the form must be submitted to your local Police Station for approval. If approved, you will receive a declaration to be presented to the Club along with your application for membership. Remember this declaration will only last for 3 months.
If you already hold a firearms licence other than a category H (eg Category A & B) , you do not need to obtained the Statement of Eligibility, but will need 2 character references and declaration of other shooting club memberships as above. If you already hold a Category H license, you need only complete the Club’s membership application form.
Joining the Club
SSAA Morinish is a Branch of SSAA Queensland and as such all applicants must be current financial members of SSAA Qld - Become a Member of SSAA Qld.
To join the Club you must complete the Club’s membership application. That application form, together with the Statement of eligibility, and:
(a) two character reference letters with your application to the Club. (From persons knowing the applicant for more than 2 years and who are not related to the applicant); and
(b) a declaration to the Club stating that you are a current member of another approved shooting club or are not a current member of another approved shooting club; must then be submitted to the Club Secretary for consideration by the Club’s Management Committee. These meeting occur every month. It is best, although not compulsory, for applicants to attend the meeting.
Probationary Period
By law, you must be a member of an approved handgun Club for at least 6 months before you are eligible to apply for a firearms’ licence.
During the probationary period new members need to complete 3 club shoots (with club pistols) and complete a recognized approved Weapons Safety Course (to gain knowledge of safety practices for the use, storage and maintenance of a firearm).
Applying for a Licence
Applications for a concealable firearms licence (that is, Category H, handguns) is best submitted via the Qld Police Service online application system.
You will need to have ready to submit the following with your online application:
Documents proving your residence (eg a rates notice or electricity bill)
A passport style photograph
Your Statement of Attainment from your Weapons Safety Course (note , this is valid for 12 months from the date of issue)
Form QP 518(A), which is a declaration by the Club’s official representative stating that you, the applicant, are a financial member of the club, that you have been a member of the pistol club for the 6 month period immediately before the declaration is made and that you have participated in at least 3 handgun shooting competitions during that 6 months
Your participation record
After Your Licence is Issued
For the first twelve months of holding a concealable firearms licence, you are only able to possess 1 (one) air pistol, and 1 (one) of the following:
a rim-fire pistol (.22), or
a centre-fire pistol (up to .38 inch), or
a black-powder pistol
To maintain your handgun licence, you must participate in at least 6 handgun competitions per year if you own only one class of pistol or 4 handgun competitions per year in each class if you own more than one class of firearm.
The Club Management Committee stands by ready to support you through the process.