Firearms and Prohibited Weapon Clubs

To contact the Firearms Registry Clubs Unit email: clubs@police.nsw.gov.au.

Newsletters 2010

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What is direct supervision?

Direct supervision must not exceed a ratio of one unlicensed person to one licensed supervisor.

The licensed supervisor must be present at the firing line and not leave whilst shooting activities are being undertaken by the unlicensed person.

The licensed supervisor must be able to immediately render assistance to the unlicensed person, if required.

The licensed supervisor must personally convey the firearm and ammunition to be used by the unlicensed person from its place of storage to the firing line.

The licensed supervisor must personally convey the firearm and ammunition from the firing line to the place of storage upon the conclusion of shooting activities.

 

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Forms

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Firearms Clubs

Firearms and Weapons clubs in NSW are administered by the Firearms Registry under the following legislation:

A firearms club requires approval by the Commissioner to operate as a target pistol, target shooting (longarms), hunting or collecting club in order to conduct club related firearms activities. These four types of club approvals define the conditions to which club officials and club members with corresponding firearms licences must comply.

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Prohibited Weapons Clubs

A weapons club requires approval by the Commissioner to operate as a collectors club or society or as a historical or commemorative club or society so that members may use their membership to support the genuine reasons of historical re-enactment or weapons collection when applying for a prohibited weapons permit.

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Prohibited Weapons Club Approval

Following the club's inaugural general meeting of members, application is made for a firearms club approval by the club secretary or other relevant office holder if there is no secretary.

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Firearms Club Approval

Following the club's inaugural general meeting of members, application is made for a firearms club approval by the club secretary or other relevant office holder if there is no secretary.

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Club Firearms Licence

If the Club then wishes to acquire guns for use by Club members on an approved range, application is made for a club firearms licence by the club secretary or a nominated club member as the licence holder.

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Club Armourer

If the Club requires the services of a Club Armourer, application must be made for a Club Armourer licence by a club member seeking to be licensed as the club armourer for that club.

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Firearms Safety Training Instructor Approval

This approval is to allow persons, on behalf of an approved club, association or organisation, to conduct firearms safety training for longarms in accordance with an approved firearms safety training course. Applicants must hold a current (longarm) firearms licence and have held this for a minimum of three years.

Unlicenced applicants are authorised to possess and use a firearm whilst participating in an approved firearms safety training course under the direct supervision of an approved firearms instructor subject to completing the P650 Declaration form.

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Category C - Clay Target Shooting - Clubs affiliated with the Australian Clay Target Association and other bodies

An applicant for a Category C licence which authorises possession and use of a self loading or pump action shotgun in connection with clay target shooting activities, has always been required to provide a statement in connection with their application, that they are a member of a shooting club which is affiliated with the Australian Clay Target Association.

With the commencement of the Firearms Amendment Act 2008 on 1 October 2008, section 17A(4) of the Firearms Act 1996 was amended so that the Commissioner of Police is now able to approve other bodies to which an applicant's shooting club may be affiliated.

Any body which seeks approval by the Commissioner for the purposes of section 17A(4) of the Firearms Act 1996 should provide a written request for approval to the attention of the General Manager, Firearms Registry, on your club/body letterhead and include the following details:

  • Name
  • Address
  • Date body/club was established
  • Number of members
  • Activities undertaken
  • Any other relevant information that may be of assistance

The Commissioner will consider your request and notify you in writing of the outcome.

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Completion of P650 forms - Unlicensed persons shooting on an approved range under supervision

A P650 is required to be completed on the first occasion by the unlicensed individual seeking to participate in activities in accordance with section 6B(1)(a) of the Firearms Act 1996. However, where the individual seeks to attend the shooting range on more than one occasion, the Commissioner has determined that following the successful completion of the P650 on the first occasion, completion of a second and subsequent P650 is not required.

Rather the club or range official may elect to maintain a separate register to record the name, address, date of birth and details of the photo identification of the unlicensed individual. The register must also record the individual signing a declaration there has been no change in their circumstances which would affect the responses provided in their initial P650 application.

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Firearms Safety Training Course Participants

For an individual undertaking activities in accordance with section 6B (1) (b) of the Firearms Act 1996, the successful completion of the P650 provides the individual with an exemption of the duration of the course being run by an approved firearms instructor.

Courses conducted by approved Pistol Clubs

All courses being conducted by or on behalf of an approved pistol club prior to 1 October 2008, are approved by the Commissioner of Police for the purposes of clause 122(1)(b) of the Firearms Regulation 2006.

The Commissioner may vary or revoke this approval for any reason deemed appropriate.

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Further Information for Clubs & Club Members

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Safe Storage Fact Sheets

Safe storage requirements that apply to an individual licence holder also apply for a club firearms licence.
Note: an intruder alarm system with back to base security is necessary if the total number of category C, D or H firearms stored exceeds 15.