New mandatory firearms training in Australia

[Bruce in West Oz]

This is nationwide. It is another hoop to jump through.

Note that this applies to EVERY "firearm" in Australia, which includes an airgun of any type (except BB guns, which are banned).

So poor old Joe Bloggs on the farm wants a .22 to keep the rabbits at bay on his property at the back of Bullamakanka -- and he has to go through all this!! :banghead:

It's called the Minimum National Standards for Firearms Safety Training in Australia, and is posted on full on the Attorney-General's website:

http://www.ag.gov.au/firearmtraining

Requirements
Under the National Firearms Agreement endorsed by the Australasian Police Ministers’ Council
(APMC) on 10 May 1996 all first time firearms licence applicants must successfully complete an accredited course in firearms safety training. This means that people seeking a firearms licence for the first time must undertake firearms safety training to achieve an appropriate degree of competence.

This document concentrates on the standards used to assess the competency of students in accredited firearms safety training.

Once applicants successfully complete a firearms safety training course they will receive a Statement of Attainment. The Statement of Attainment allows the mutual recognition by jurisdictions of a successful completion of required firearms safety training (although there may be supplementary requirements in some jurisdictions specific to State/Territory legislation and circumstances) and serves as recognition of prior learning or current competence.

Requirements for courses (which will form part of the accreditation process) will be governed by the Firearms Registry in each State and Territory. As firearms legislation differs between States and Territories, the relevant Firearms Registry will be responsible for the control content and access to courses.

Police Check
Depending on jurisdictional legislative requirements, participants may be required to undergo a police check for suitability before undertaking a firearms safety training course.

Statement of Attainment
To obtain a Statement of Attainment, participants must successfully complete both firearms units:
a) Understanding Firearms
b) Using Firearms Safely
Understanding Firearms
Understanding Firearms involves theoretical and practical demonstrations with written/and or oral assessment. This unit must be successfully completed before participants can progress to Using Firearms Safely unit. This will ensure that participants do not undertake any practical training until competence has been achieved in theory.

Using Firearms Safely
Using Firearms Safely is a practically demonstrated and assessed unit that will allow participants to demonstrate their competence in possessing, handling and using a firearm.

Structure and Duration
The structure of accredited course should follow:
- Adequate time for prior reading of the theoretical and practical components for the course;
- Theoretical and practical demonstrations followed by theoretical assessment for Understanding Firearms; and
- Theoretical and practical demonstrations followed by theoretical and practical assessment for
Using Firearms Safely

Prior reading will include documents like the national safety code as well as other codes or manuals as approved by the jurisdiction.

The time allocated for any course to implement these standards will vary depending on the type(s) of licence(s) required.

And what sort of things does the new firearms applicant have to learn about himself and his chosen recreation/sport/workplace tool?

Something like this:

Understanding Firearms: Learning outcome 3
3. Explain safety concerns relating to firearms use and ownership within the
community
3.1 Explain the broader legal and social responsibilities which apply to people using firearms
3.2 Describe circumstances in which firearms use may be dangerous to the community
3.3 Explain the potential public health consequences arising from firearms misuse
3.4 Describe circumstances relating to a person’s behaviour, physical and emotional well-being in which firearms use may be dangerous
3.5 Explain duty of care and render assistance obligations
3.6 Explain environmental and animal welfare ethics and responsibilities associated with
shooting activities
3.7 Demonstrate an awareness of medical assistance required in the event of firearms
accident/injury

Assessment method
Assessment will consist of oral and/or written questions covering:
• legal and social responsibilities of people using firearms;
• circumstances in which community safety is put at risk;
• incidence of firearms misuse in the community and public health consequences;
• behaviour and physical and mental attributes which increase risks of firearms accidents or injury;
• duty of care and render assistance obligations;
• environmental and animal welfare ethics and responsibilities of shooters; and
• provision of medical assistance relevant to firearms accident/injury.

 

[fjolnirsson]

Astonishing...




:banghead:

I hope we are able to halt this sickness.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Explain the potential public health consequences arising from firearms misuse...

There it is again! So-called "public health" trying to attach itself to firearms. This begins to look like a trend—for the worse, of course.

 

[Parker Dean]

Astonishing...

Not really.

 

[newguy123]

I didn't read the whole article but it is similar in Canada where I am. Anyone new to guns or that wants to upgrade their license to restricted(handguns and ar15s ect.) must take two courses that are often in one day. Pass the test send in the paper work then wait for about 2 months and get a license to either buy or possess firearms. Of course there are many laws about storage and transportation that are far too many to get into right now. I wouldn't be surprised if Canada did something similar now. Anyone know what I have to do to become an American citizen and move to Vermont?

 

[strambo]

Wow, that's a very comprehensive course! :banghead:

 

[artherd]

That's a little overboard. "Explain the potential public health consequences arising from automobile misuse"

But firearm training is a great idea, much like you don't want someone who can't pass a driver's test to be given a car. I'd fully support a marksmanship and basic safety test (as well as shoot/don't-shoot LE type and houseclearing drills.) as part of a firearms licencing practice... but...

BUT, the government MUST NEVER EVER BE PERMITTED to invoke this control on firearms. For the conflict of interest and horrofic consequences for corruption are beyond compare.

 

[Baba Louie]

3.3 Explain the potential public health consequences arising from firearms misuse

Keeping the frickin Japanese Army at bayonet's reach away? (Musta been too long ago to register in present memory banks... 'sides that, the Japanese Army never actually invaded or even got that close to Australia.)
Guess it's time down under to just carry Cricket Bats around.

There, but for the grace of God, goes the US down the same path. One more generation of properly indoctrinated children perhaps.

 

[Bruce in West Oz]

Baba Louie

Yes, the irony of it all is that these new rules were posted on the Anzac Day long weekend here in Australia, when we remember all those fought and died in the service of Australia.

BTW, the Japanese did get to the islands to the close north of us, most notably New Guinea. I had an uncle who fought on the Kokoda Track. Darwin was bombed regularly and Broome and Exmouth shot up. Close enough. The government of the day was prepared to draw a line from Brisbane and let the Japanese have the top half.

Scary stuff. They also banned the sale of firearms to civilians during the war -- it wasn't lifted until (from memory) 1947. I have my father's 1947 Lithgow single shot .22, the first post-war model.

Getting OT, sorry.

 

[mrapathy2000]

not suprised. in the states we require people to get a liscense to drive a automobile. suprised we dont have same thing with firearms. unofficially most states have hunter safety courses some states require it to get hunting liscense.

then again we dont have laws saying people have right to drive cars or carriage. we do have law that say the right to bear arms shall not be infringed.

hope it doesnt include too many hoops for your aussies. would hate to be in your situation with the crackdown you folk have had to go through.