SSAA NSW

DRAFT FIREARMS REGULATION & PROHIBITED WEAPONS REGULATION Summary of SSAA NSW Submission ( * Continued from page 2) Clause 97(1)(c) – Incidents involving firearms on a shooting range Bring reporting in line with those prescribed by Workcover. Clause 100(7) & (8) – Period for club approval Reject the introduction of 5 year periods and retain the existing lifetime club approvals. Clause 103(2)(b) – Club reporting requirements Reject the additional requirement for monthly reporting and retain the existing provision which prescribes that clubs must report annually. Clause 107(a) – Disclosure of information to club officials Amend to allow information on categories of pistols, rather than actual pistols, held by a club member. Clauses 110 to 113 – Participation requirements for categories A, B, C & G Remove participation requirements for all category A, B C & G licence holders. Clause 108 – Participation requirements - compliance period Reject the definition as the period aligning with the anniversary date and retain the accepted precedent where the compliance period runs from 1 April to 31 March. Clause 126 – Access to suppressors for recreational/sporting purposes Remove classification of suppressors as a prohibited weapon in the Weapons Prohibition Act 1998. Have suppressors recognised as firearms parts under the Act and hence registered. Retain the requirement for a permit to possess and use a suppressor and level 2 safe storage. Remove additional restrictive criteria imposed by Firearms Registry. Allow multiple genuine reasons on one permit – target shooting and recreational hunting. Allow successful completion of an approved training/accreditation course as a means to support the genuine reason. Clauses 136 to 140 – Permanent amnesty Extend the provisions for the temporary amnesty to provide for a permanent amnesty. Clauses 155(2)(a) & (3)(d) – Supervision requirements Reject requirement for supervisor to have direct line of sight of shooters at all times and retain the existing condition as specified on range approvals which requires the range officer to be actively supervising all activities including firearms. Clauses 11, 13(2), 98(2)(d), 129(2)(a)(iii) & (iv) & (v) – Exclusion periods Reduce exclusion period from 10 years to 5 years to align with the National Firearms Agreement and all other jurisdictions except Australian Capital Territory. Firearms Appearance Replace the reference to appearance with a reference to functionality of the firearm. Introduce an objective system based on firearm functionality. Align classification used in NSW with that of other jurisdictions. Establish a reference group with representation from all relevant stakeholders to make recommendations to the Commissioner with regard to classification of firearms. Prohibition of certain gun stocks Provide an exemption where it is clear that a stock is required to facilitate legitimate operation and maintenance of a perfectly legal firearm. Stakeholder consultation Establish a formal mechanism that ensures genuine consultation at the decision-making level, has representation from all affected stakeholders and is prescribed in legislation.

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