HUME PISTOL CLUB

Under the NSW Firearms Act 1996 it is an offence for any person to possess or use a firearm unless the person is authorised to do so by a licence or permit. To own a firearm in NSW you must prove a "genuine need" such as hunting or target shooting (or for occupational use). Handgun hunting in prohibited in NSW so "genuine need" requirements for handgun users are purely target shooting or for work.

To get started you can get a temporary permit from the club to try things out on a limited basis (under strict supervision) but in the long term you'll have to join and get a firearms licence.

The club can help you out here and after assessment of your suitability as a member, including a criminal record check by NSW Police, you can join the club and start the paperwork to get a NSW Firearms licence. For the purposes of pistol shooting you will need to get an H-category licence.

For average shooters in NSW licences fall into three basic categories:
* Category A: air rifles, rimfire rifles (.22 calibre), and shotguns (not inc. semi-auto or pump action)

* Category B: centrefire rifles, shotgun/centrefire combinations

* Category H: pistols

The are C and D categories as well but licences for these types of firearms are severely restricted and almost impossible to get unless you have a farm or a job that requires use of such firearms.

After a short club based probationary period you can apply for a NSW Probationary Pistol Licence which will remain in force for twelve months. For the first six months of the licence, holders of a Probationary Pistol Licence must be supervised by the holder of a full Category H Sport/Target Shooting licence. During this period you cannot apply to purchase a firearm. In the second six months you are limited to the purchase of up to two firearms for competition use. The club has a few firearms for use by club members (no firearms are kept on site at the club) but these may not be suitable for the competitions that you intend to shoot so you may find yourself wanting to buy several firearms initially.

In that second six-month period you may purchase either:

* An air pistol or rimfire, or both

* Or one or two centrefire pistols

Unfortunately you cannot buy a rimfire and a centrefire pistol in that six-month period.

After your twelve-month probationary licence is finished you may apply for a full NSW H-category firearms licence that can be good for either 2 or 5 years ($100 for 2 years and $200 for 5 years).

. When you have your full Category H Sport/Target Shooting licence you can purchase any combination of air-pistol, rimfire or centrefire handgun within the limits of the law. But mandatory attendances do apply.

Minimum Participation Requirements

Target shooting is fun but everyone lives busy lives so some people will shoot les frequently than others. However it must be pointed out that to maintain the requirements, and support the genuine reason for your licence, you will need to attend a minimum amount of organised club shoots throughout the year.

For handgun shooters who own just one type of handgun you must participate in at least six (6) club organised competitive shooting matches over each period of 12 months that your licence is valid. If you own more than one type of handgun you must undertake at least four (4) club organised shoots for each type of pistol that you own.

There are three types of pistols for the purpose of minimum participation requirements:

*Air pistols

*Rimfire pistols

*Centrefire pistols

EXAMPLE 1

A licence holder owning one type of pistol is required to participate in at least six (6) competitive shooting matches. Participation in club organised competitive shoots includes officiating in such a match.

EXAMPLE 2

A licence holder owning a centrefire and a rimfire pistol, which are two different types of handguns, must participate in 8 club organised shoots per annum (ie: 4 shoots for each firearm type).

Failure to maintain the minimum attendance standard can result in revocation or your firearms licence and confiscation of your firearms.

More information can be had on the Participation Requirement For Club Members Fact Sheet found here