I live in Australia, I joined THR because I'm enthusiastic about guns and I find THR to be a mature and civilized board.
Anyway, unlike in the UK, civilian ownership of revolvers and semi-automatic pistols is allowed here but for target shooting purposes only and under extremely strict conditions. I used to own two handguns, a CZ-75b 9mm and a Colt King Cobra, but I got fed up with the harsh conditions imposed upon owning them so I sold them and didn't bother renewing my licence.
In order for a civillian to obtain a handgun they must first join a pistol range. After you have been a member for 6 months you get a probationary licence which permits you to own a rimfire target pistol. After that you get your full licence and you can have centrefire semi or revolver. If you want something chambered for rounds like .38 Super, or .40S&W you have to prove you are doing something like steel plinking. I only did paper targets so the most powerful gear i could get was up to 9x19 Parabellum. You may only obtain lead round nose or wadcutter rounds. Yes, that also meant I couldn't buy.357 mag rounds for my Cobra, I could only buy .38spl for it. A guy I knew there was only realy interested in paper target shooting but he did that all stuff just so he could have m1911's in .45ACP. The guns must at all times be securely stored in a safe that is more then 150kg or bolted to the floor, with the only exeptions being when you are cleaning or mantaining it. When traveling to the range it must be in a safe in a car. The police may show up ANY TIME, ANY DAY to inspect your safes.
There are also strict conditions on longarm ownership too but I am less familiar with them. Rifle loading systems can only be up to bolt action and shotguns only up to double barrel!
I still go to the pistol club every here and there just to hang out and do a bit of shooting (as a guest) but I dont like the club guns (only .22lr target pistols) so if I went too often people would quickly grow tired of me shooting their guns with their ammo.
I love guns but I think owning them here just isn't worth the hassle. Do you?
Anyway, unlike in the UK, civilian ownership of revolvers and semi-automatic pistols is allowed here but for target shooting purposes only and under extremely strict conditions. I used to own two handguns, a CZ-75b 9mm and a Colt King Cobra, but I got fed up with the harsh conditions imposed upon owning them so I sold them and didn't bother renewing my licence.
In order for a civillian to obtain a handgun they must first join a pistol range. After you have been a member for 6 months you get a probationary licence which permits you to own a rimfire target pistol. After that you get your full licence and you can have centrefire semi or revolver. If you want something chambered for rounds like .38 Super, or .40S&W you have to prove you are doing something like steel plinking. I only did paper targets so the most powerful gear i could get was up to 9x19 Parabellum. You may only obtain lead round nose or wadcutter rounds. Yes, that also meant I couldn't buy.357 mag rounds for my Cobra, I could only buy .38spl for it. A guy I knew there was only realy interested in paper target shooting but he did that all stuff just so he could have m1911's in .45ACP. The guns must at all times be securely stored in a safe that is more then 150kg or bolted to the floor, with the only exeptions being when you are cleaning or mantaining it. When traveling to the range it must be in a safe in a car. The police may show up ANY TIME, ANY DAY to inspect your safes.
There are also strict conditions on longarm ownership too but I am less familiar with them. Rifle loading systems can only be up to bolt action and shotguns only up to double barrel!
I still go to the pistol club every here and there just to hang out and do a bit of shooting (as a guest) but I dont like the club guns (only .22lr target pistols) so if I went too often people would quickly grow tired of me shooting their guns with their ammo.
I love guns but I think owning them here just isn't worth the hassle. Do you?