Thread: New Firearms Licence Practical Training

Originally Posted by Preacher

Although I agree with the practical handling component proposed, I can't say I can agree with compulsory club membership.

Some of us have such limited time to even hunt or live too far as reasonable from any clubs, should we then be denied ability to own firearms/partake in hunting or shooting sports?

To be perfectly honest there doesn't appear to be a real and immediate reason for the changes as it is, as stated before it's people that should already know better consistently featuring in incidents.

However one "accident" is always one too many and safety should always be paramount. In saying that, the unlicensed clowns messing around with stolen firearms still won't care.

@Preacher I agree
No no no no.
I do not want to see in any shape of form a compulsory membership for standard firearms ownership.
Aussie has that and we do not want to go down that path no matter how safe it makes the police feel.
It would be the thin end of the wedge. Next thing you know you would have to do so many shoots a year to stay compliant with your license like the pistols.
You have to do that with every class of firearm in aussie unless you are super rural and don't have access to a shooting range.
But in that case you also have ample opportunity and places to shoot which have to be on the proper form and in writing I may add.
An example is that you have a tough few months with work weather etc and its hard enough to get out for a shot let alone a range.
Next thing you know mr plod says you haven't done your shoots and you have to hand in your firearms to an armoury until you can do it.
Fair enough it is that way with pistols, but you know that going in. And as Phil_H has suggested it does thin out the numbers somewhat. Guess what, it would be the same for longarms also in a bad way.
Find some other way as courses every now and again but not compulsory membership.
BTW I do agree clubs are awesome for learning the ropes, camaraderie etc. I sort of do clubs and I don't but that's just me.