Get your finger on the trigger
Courier Mail, Page 3. Friday, 13 November 2009
Gun clubs have firearms that can be hired for target shooting on the rifle range.
Sporting Shooters Association of Australia Brisbane manager Don Ruwoldt says the minimum age to shoot is 11 and a birth certificate or photo identification is required by anyone under 18.
The police supply a registration form, which someone "just walking off the street" must fill in.
This asks if the applicant has any criminal convictions.
Ruwoldt says people do not have to be members to shoot but they will pay a higher range fee than members and $10 an hour to hire a gun.
No one can own a firearm unless they have a licence. To obtain that licence the applicant is required to do a safety course set by the police, which takes about nine hours.
The Sporting Shooters Association of Australia offers a choice of safety courses: a full-day course or one spread over two evenings.
Queensland police say any person aged 11 or over can attend an approved rifle range for sports or target shooting. "Prior to taking possession of any weapon the person is required to complete a range register and provide photographic evidence of proof of identity," a spokesman says.
If the shooter wants to fire a pistol or revolver - a category H concealable firearm - they must complete an approved Form 33 or 33A beforehand.
The information declared on this form is used to determine if the person is an excluded person under the Weapons Act 1990. "A person may have possession of and use a category A or B weapon or a category M crossbow at an approved range if the person is supervised directly by a range officer," the police spokesman says. "A minor can apply in the correct way for a Minor Licence as required under section 12, Weapons Act 1990. Info: www.police.qld.qov.au
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