Bruce in West Oz
Member
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
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:
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.