Australian Muzzle Loaders

[steve-rsa]

Mods: Please move if needs be.

Is there a site with Oz ML laws. Are they "off-license" etc? Is it easy to obtain ML firearms and BP? Do you have to shoot on a range, or can you shoot wherever safe (i.e. on a friend's farm?)

I just want a general idea of the dufficulty/easiness of obtaining and shooting ML firearms in Oz.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Robbo]

I am a relative newcomer to M/L so if I get this wrong, I hope someone will correct me. But to the best of my knowledge, M/L's are subject to exactly the same restrictions in Australia as any other firearm.

The way it goes is this.

Firstly, you have to do a training course and sit a test to get your shooters licence. This process can take weeks to months and will probably cost about a hundred bucks. Then you apply for a "Permit to Aquire" a firearm and for this to be approved, generally you will need to be a member of a club or have the permission of a landholder to shoot over his property. You send all of this off with another 30 bucks and then there is a 28 day cooling off period, after which they will process your paperwork and eventually send it back to you. This can take some months.

Then, and only then, can you go in to the gunshop an pick up your gun.

The whole process is a complete joke. It is meant to keep guns out of the hands of criminals but this has not been the case. They are still smuggling in their illegal handguns just like they always did. All it has succeeded in doing is making criminals out of honest men as many try and avoid this stupid and convoluted process.

You guys in the USA are dead lucky. Even I, as a foreigner visiting your country to see my wifes family (she is from PA) was able to buy a used T/C 50 cal Flinter from the Juniata Trading Company, and use it to chase whitetail deer all over the appalachians (unsuccessfully). No questions asked! Regrettably, I had to leave the gun behind with my father in law when I returned home as its too bloody hard to import it to Oz.

However, my guess is that with all the mass shootings in recent times, you guys are heading in the same directions. Already I hear that the US anti-gun lobby is trying to re-interpret the 2nd amendment to water down your rights. I hope you guys don't let it happen like we did.

Best Wishes

Robbo

 

[spudnut]

Are we all paying attention?

 

[navaho]

Robbo, I lived in Connecticut USA for a short time, 5 years. As I read your info, it reminded me of how that state is set up. A little more expensive, but really very simular. In Connecticut, you apply for a city permit, cost about 50.00 to do this you have to get certified by an NRA instructor, another 25 to 50 dollars. Once you get that done,you can carry the gun in the city you live in. Once you get your city papers you can apply for a state permit, that runs another 75.00. That allows you to carry in the state. Now I live in Georgia USA, it is pretty wide open. I always felt that the north east was too anti-gun, and they did stuff to bring in revenue along with making it very difficult to own firearms. The south has always been traditionally gun tolerant. Good luck in OZ and don't let the bas***ds win. Keep up the good fight. Play their games and own firearms.

 

[ChrisPer]

There are some state variations, but all states require a firearm licence, which has a 28-day wait. They are classed Category B, along with bolt-action hunting rifles. If you are licensed (even an unrelated license such as CCW or blasting permit) you should use that as supporting documentation. A certificate of safety training from an accredited instructor, and membership in a sporting body are helpful too. (Been through it after some years overseas).

Legislation requires a 'genuine reason' for cat A and a 'genuine need' with evidence for other categories. Handguns have the full Cat H treatment which requires a club membership, recommendations from the club and regular competitive match shooting for months. (By the way, that applies even to air pistols).

Antiques are somewhat easier; a M/L single shot made before 1900 is not required to be licenced in most states I believe. However, I also have a collectors licence which means guns held under that licence can't be shot.

If you are an American coming to Australia for sport or work, you should be able to get a temporary permit in advance and bring B/P guns through customs OK, including your handguns if for an international match. Set it up in advance with the stte police through the body you are shooting with in Australia, eg. the SSAA branch hosting you.

State police issue licences, and the form to be released through Customs is a B709A issued by the state police. Usually you would take the guns from customs to the police for licensing, or a dealer for holding while you get the license sorted.
[url] http://www.ssaa.org[/url].au/ [url] http://www.ssaa.org[/url].au/newssaa/political%20archive/documentsofinterest/australianz/customs.htm


Which state are you coming to? With that info, you can be better accomodated.

 

[steve-rsa]

I am looking to the possibility of emigrating from South Africa to Oz. I have a .54 Ardesa Deerhunter rifle and a .50 Ardesa Kentucky pistol. Plus a 9mm handgun.

In SA there are no restrictions on ML's as long as they are "loaded through the muzzle" - no break opens. I don't hunt or shoot target competitively (but would love a .451), just get together monthly with a bunch of guys to make smoke.

Is there no "occasional shooter" category - under which I hold my 9mm license?

 

[ChrisPer]

Steve, you and a lot of others, I have Yarpies coming out the windows here in Perth!

I came over from Harare end of 98 bringing a bunch of collector firearms. I did it right, because I am from here and knew the drill. Included were broomie, Luger, Mannlicher and a nice Browning 9mm.

I got them all into the country legally. I have the pistols on a collector licence.

My suggestion is to sell the 9mm and buy a couple of Westley Richards or Hollands items to bring in.

You didn't say which state you are coming to, but in most you cannot have a pistol of any kind unless you compete on a regular basis, OR have it on a collector licence. And they don't have that 'plinking range' in pistol clubs here - registered matches or no licence.

My suggestion is, assuming you are coming to Perth, join the SSAA and the Perth Muzzleloading club straight away (ie from over there). I am about to join myself - don't have a M/L yet - That will give you immediate reason to bring your long guns and Kentucky pistol in. The pistol will take you some months to work through the club probation period before you can have it, but meanwhile you could have it held by the club armourer or on a club member dealers licence.

At the same range is a prac pistol club if you want, and there are some good people there too I am sure.

 

[PreglerD]

In Germany it is nearly the same procedure when you want to buy a modern firearm. You have to be member of a shooting club, have to shoot one year regulary, have to make a gunhandling and lawcourse and then you have to show the authorities that you have a need for the firearm. Then after many weeks and many payed bucks you get a licence. When you want to buy a ML singleshot you need nothing except 18 years old and money. Only for powder a license is needed. But you get it after making a security bp course and loading and shooting a ML over 6 months.

 

[d.thomson]

Wow I thought we had it bad I Canada. F.K.

 

[2172]

Kirmeister..this is off topic, but today I discovered that a local restaurant, housed in a log cabin, has named itself "The Bavarian Lodge" and has the Bavarian state flag outside...it replaces "the Hunter's Lodge" which speciallized in "down home" country cooking...as sson as I get a chance, I'll eat there and report on whether it is worth your attention...best, Hank

 

[steve-rsa]

What is the situation in Canada, or is it also a state by state thing?

 

[d.thomson]

Any thing but flint locks you need to take a coarse $160.00 to get your PAL. Posession and Acusetion Licence. to hunt you need to take an other coarse, somtimes the coarses are combined. send off the test results to the government along with a Noterized pic of your self along with caracter refs.The Government does a criminal check if all goes alright you have your lic in about three monthes. To get a restriced lic. added to your PAL. another coarse $160.00, then you have to prove you are a member of a pistol club or a colector. To move a restriced gun you then have to fillout a form usaly don through your pistol club so you can transport from your house to the range. You can shoot your hand gun from the deck of your house but as soon as you step down onto the ground it is illeagal, your handgun is registared to your house not your property. Ml cap and ball you need a PAL.,a flint lock is considered an antique and dosent need to registared or a PAL. Every gun is registared( called into the RCMP. with serial#) and they give you a ref # and mail you a reg cetifacate. I hope this clears thing up abit. Regards Fisher King

 

[steve-rsa]

Not too bad then, I bet everyone has a very large deck!!

 

[d.thomson]

Ya I want to build a wrap around :haha: F.K.

 

[Todd Rickard]

I live in Canada. I own flintlocks, air guns and antiques only. With these guns, I enjoy all the same freedoms that I had 30 years ago. I know that firearms need some type of control in today's world, but I don't like it and don't want to be part of it.