Background

The first step is to understand how a firearms licence works. A firearms licence is broken up into two parts.
1. Classes
2. Purpose of Use (POU)

In South Australua a firearms licence is first broken up into classes (A, B, C, D & H). Each class represents different types of firearms.

• Class A:  Air rifles, air guns, and paintball firearms; 22 rimfire rifles (not self-loading); single or double barrel shotguns (not self-loading or pump action) and include receivers.
• Class B:   Muzzle loading firearms (not being handguns); revolving chamber rifles; centrefire (not self-loading); break action shotgun/rifle combinations. All other firearms not class A firearms (not being prescribed firearms, handguns, self-loading or pump action shotguns), including receivers.
• Class C:   Self loading rimfire rifles with a magazine capacity no greater than 10 rounds; self loading shotguns with a magazine capacity no greater than 5 round; pump action shotguns with a magazine capacity no greater than 5 rounds, and includes receivers.
• Class D:Self loading rimfire rifles with a magazine capacity of more than 10 rounds; self loading centrefire rifles; self loading shotguns with a magazine capacity of more than 5 rounds and a pump action shotgun with a magazine capacity of more than 5 rounds, and including receivers.
• Class H:   All handguns (including Air pistols)

Each class is then broken up into purpose of use (POU):

• POU 1.     Club Use (Using a firearm at a club)
• POU 2.     Target Shooting (General sighting in)
• POU 3.     Hunting
• POU 4.     Paintball
• POU 5.     Primary Production
• POU 6.     Security Industry
• POU 7.     Other as Provided by Registrar (For example dealer / trainer)

 Furth information can be found on the SAPOL website.

Please visit the club and the different sections to see what classes of firearms suit your interests.

Licence Application
Once you have worked out the classes of firearms you would like to use and the locations you would like to use them the next step is to attend your local police station or download from SAPOL's Web Site Link.  Ask the officer for a "PD 303 - Application for a Firearms licence". This form must be completed in person at your local police station. Once the form is completed you will need to provided identification - 100 point system. Please visit the SAPOL website for details. 

Please Note:
When filling out the PD 303 form, it is important to tick the correct firearms classes and the Purpose of use you. Ticking the wrong boxes may result in further training requirements or further trips back to the Police Station to apply for a licence variation. Please refer back to Step 1 for the different classes and Purposes of uses available. Or contact the State secretary if you need any assistance.

If you do need to make a variation to your licence you will need to fill out a "PD307 - Licence Variation". 

Background Check
The Police station will then forward the application to Firearms Branch through the internal mail system. Firearms Branch will then undertake a background check to consider if you are a suitable person to hold a firearms licence.

If you are considered a suitable person, Firearms Branch will send you a 'training letter' advising you of the training you will be required to undertake. The training locations will differ depending on the POU. For Example:

For POU 1 (club use) – The applicant is to join a shooting club (for example SSAA Para) to undertake the training requirements within the club. The club's training officer will provide you with the relevant information for what is required at that club.

For POU 2, 3 & 4 - A T.A.F.E. course is required, information of venues of courses is supplied with the 'training letter'.

 

Once you have has received the letter from SAPOL and are a member of SSAA Para, you can then start to undertake your licence training at SSAA Para.

 

Theory for Class A, B and H - Purpose of Use 1 (Club Use) at SSAA Para

• On your next visit to the range ask the canteen staff or see the club notice board for the safety course trainers contact details. The training for licences is usually done at the same time as our club safety course training for new members.

• When there are enough people (usually 10), the next safety course will be run. The trainer will ring or email you and advise you of the date. If you cannot attend the training session please arrange with the trainer to be added to the next safety course.

• The training course will cover both a theory section and practical section. Please make sure to bring your letter you received from SAPOL to the training course advising that SAPOL has approved you to undertake training  for purpose of use one.

Practical Training for Class A, B  - Purpose of Use 1 (Club Use) at SSAA Para

For long arms (A and B purpose of use 1) if you have successfully completed the TAFE course there is no additional practical training requirements for A1 or B1. A PD314 will then be filled out by the trainer and then signed by the secretary. The PD314 form will then be posted directly to Firearms Branch.

If you have not done any formal training (TAFE or Club Courses) we will ask you to shoot with one of our sections. Most sections have club firearms available. Once you have completed two shoots or at such time as the section trainer feels you are competent, your PD314 will be signed off by the secretary and be posted directly to Firearms Branch.

Firearms branch will then post out a data card form similar to your drivers licence.

Practical Training for Class H - Purpose of Use 1 (Club Use) at SSAA Para

People wishing to obtain a handgun licence (H), are then required to undertake further practical training. The practical training is to be completed with one of our pistol sections before the PD314 is signed off by the secretary and sent to Firearms Branch.

• Have a look through the program or under disciplines on the website for a section you would like to join. Most sections have club pistols you can use for the training.

• The section captain will then run through a minimum of 6 shoots or until such time they feel you are competent to handle a handgun safely. Some sections may require further training for example holster proficiency.

• Once the captain passes your practical training they will write out an internal chit. Please leave the internal chit in the canteen for the secretary to collect.

• The secretary will then pick up the internal chit and complete the PD314.

The PD314 form will then be posted directly to Firearms branch.

• Firearms branch will then post out a licence payment form similar to your drivers licence.

• Under the 2008 Firearms Regulations there is a 6 month waiting period before you can purchase you first handgun (this excludes black powder firearms). During this waiting period the club asks for you to do 4 more shoots. This will allow you further develop your skills and training requirements.
• Once the 10 shoots (6  during the licence application period and 4 during the licence waiting period) are completed the club will approve the purchase of a handgun.

Graduated Access for Handguns

Legislation now prohibits the purchase handguns within the first 6 months from the granting of a Class H firearms licence for club use.

For the second 6 months of a new Class H licence for club use, purchase is restricted to the following;

• 1 air or gas operated pistol or a .22 calibre pistol or 1 centre-fire pistol or,
• 1 air or gas operated pistol and 1 .22 calibre pistol or,
• 1 air or gas operated pistol and 1 centre-fire pistol

This restriction does not apply to muzzle loading or percussion cap and ball handguns. Refer section 15A (4e).

The club secretary may keep the graduated access provisions in mind when issuing purchase chits however the Adjudication staff within Firearms Branch will monitor this aspect.

If you have any questions please contact the club secretary.