"Submissions are invited for the review of the Firearms Act and Firearms Regulations. The aim is to ensure the act and regulations reflect the needs of the SA community, as well as streamlining administrative processes and contributing to the establishment of a national framework for firearms control."

-Taken from the SAPOL website.

1.      The 28 day waiting period for second and subsequent firearms should be made an instant check scheme as in Victoria where, we understand, a computer check can be made instantly online. Prior to the 1996 NFA, dealers were able to fax an application to the Firearms Branch in the morning and a reply was faxed back the same day. We understand that applications for a permit to acquire a firearm in at least one other State are non-specific, in that they allow the acquisition of a firearm of the nominated Class within the period of the permit. This would be of very great benefit to people living in regional areas where there is no reasonably accessible Firearms Dealer.

2.     In the spirit of "streamlining administrative processes", the TAFE safety training course which is compulsory for all new applicants should be recognized as sufficient for Purpose of Use 1 (club use) so that the only additional training necessary when a licence holder joins a club is the Range Rules and Shooting Discipline Rules.

3.      SSAA-SA believes that the onerous attendance requirements for handgun licence holders should be altered so that a set number of activities would cover all categories of handgun. We believe the requirement to actually compete is an unreasonable impediment to those who volunteer their time to serve as Range Officers, Trainers, Coaches, Committee Members and Club Office Bearers, with no recognition given for these activities. We do not believe that setting a competition attendance requirement for each category of handgun serves any useful purpose and merely adds to the bureaucracy involved with licensing which we believe is excessive in any case. Dropping it would streamline the administrative process, make the process fairer, contribute to streamlining and a lessening of costs for all parties.

4.      For rifles and shotguns, where club members are concerned, SSAA-SA does not believe that mandating attendance requirements for club members will serve a useful purpose and will only add to the bureaucracy involved and further increase administrative costs.

5.      SSAA-SA supports measures that will keep firearms out of the hands of criminals. We believe illegal users should be prosecuted to the fullest extent, but to criminalise the activities of law abiding citizens is counter productive.

6.      Consideration should be given to extending the licence period, where handguns are concerned, to five years. Clubs are already obliged to inform the Registrar if a Member leaves the club.

7.      Given the relative lack of "red tape" for recreational long arms owners and users, we believe the requirement for police check/approval and personal references for applicants wishing to join a Club for other than handgun shooting is an unnecessary impost on both applicants and Clubs and also contributes to increased administrative costs in the SA Police Firearms Branch.

You can include anything you believe relevant in your submission.

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