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Purchasing Handguns

There have been some recent Permit applications by both new members and older members who should know the rules, but don’t! Perhaps it’s time to review the steps.

1)You must hold a ‘full’ General Category Handgun license.

2)Make sure your safekeeping is in order and has been inspected by the committee.

3)Before a new member can purchase any class of handgun, they must shoot a test target under the supervision of a Range Officer. The rules are.. You must shoot one-handed at a standard 25M target. You shoot 10 shots an as much time as you need. All ten shots must be scoring shots, i.e. inside the 1 ring on the target. If you shoot a test target for a .22 you are qualified for an air pistol or a .22. If you shoot a .357 / .38 revolver you are qualified for a Centrefire revolver or a .22 and smaller but not for a Centrefire semi-auto. A Centrefire semi is the hardest to master and when you can master that you are considered qualified for all classes we shoot at Springvale.

4)With steps 1-3 in place you may go out and find a handgun. Most dealers will let you either pay a deposit or the full cost of the handgun you choose and keep it in storage until you can obtain your Permit to Acquire. This way you know exactly, make, model, serial number etc that is required on your permit application.

5)Download the Permit to Acquire form from www.sspc.org.au or www.police.vic.gov.au (also available at the front office at Springvale or gun dealers) and fill it out as far as you can. The Police now say that you must still fill out and sign the Statutory Declaration section but it is no longer necessary to have it ‘witnessed’ as before.

6)Fill out the SSPC ‘Form 3’ with the same information (available at the club website and Springvale) and submit the Form 3 with your PTA. If your safe has not yet been inspected, the Committee will have a committee member contact you to make a time for an inspection.

7)Post the PTA form and the Form 3 to the club in time for the next monthly Committee meeting (or put it in the green mailbox outside the range). If you have the corner of a Test Target include that as well.

For members who already have firearms, a Form 3 is still required with every purchase and a test target is required if you are ‘moving up’.

I hope this helps?

Phill.

Last modified: 09.12.08 by mike