First you need to understand how a firearms licence works.
A firearms licence is broken up into two parts.
Categories of Firearms & Categories of Licences POU (Purpose of use).
In South Australia a firearms licence is first broken up into categories
(A, B, C, D, H and P). Each category represents different types of firearms
as Listed below.
Category A: Air guns; paintball firearms; rimfire rifles (not self-loading); shotguns (not self-loading or pump action); break actions, combination shotgun and rimfire rifles. This includes receivers.
Category B: Muzzle loading firearms (not being handguns); revolving chamber rifles; centrefire rifles (not being self-loading); multiple barrel centrefire rifles (not designed to hold additional rounds in a magazine); break action combination shotguns and centre fire rifles; all other firearms (except prescribed, handguns, self-loading firearms or pump action shotguns) that are not category A firearms This includes receivers.
Category 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.
Category 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.
Category H: All handguns (including Air pistols) and not being prescribed firearms
Category P: Prescribed firearms, including automatic firearms, are defined in section 5 of the Act and regulation 7 of the Regulations.
Categories of Licence:
1. Shooting Club (Using a firearm at a club including sighting in)
2. Target Shooting (General sighting outside of a club)
3. Hunting
4. Paintball
5. Primary Production
6. Security Industry
7. Contract Shooter
8. Commercial Range Operator
9. Shooting Galley Operator
10. Collector
11. Dealer
12. Miscellaneous (other approved by the registar)
Further information can be found on the SAPOL website.
Once you have decided on the category of firearm you would like to use and the locations you would like to use them the next step is to download the "PD 303 - Application for a Firearms licence" form or attend your local police station and speak to the Officer about the form.
This form must be completed in person at a Police Station. Once the form is completed you will need to provided identification - 100 point system.
Please Note:
When filling out the PD 303 form, it is important to tick the correct firearms categories and the licence categories (usage). Marking the wrong boxes may result in further training requirements .
If you currently hold a South Australian firearms licence you will need to make a variation to your licence. The form you will need to fill out is 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 MUST join a shooting club prior to undertake the training requirements for a club licence.
For other licence categories (2 through 10) - 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 Kenton Valley Pistol & Shooting Club, you can then start to undertake your licence training at Kenton Valley Pistol & Shooting Club with one of our licenced and accredited Trainers.
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)
For long arms (A and B purpose of use 1)
We will ask you to shoot with one of our trainers. Trainers will have firearms available for you to use. Once you have completed two shoots or at such time as the 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)
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 accredited trainers before the PD314 is signed off by the secretary and sent to Firearms Branch.
Have a look through the program or under Competitions on the website for a discipline you would like to shoot. The trainer will have club pistols you can use for the training.
The trainer will then conduct the firearm safety & holster proficiency course until such time they feel you are competent to handle a handgun safely. (You will NOT be passed until the trainer is satisfied you are safe & competent)
Once the trainer passes your practical training and theory training they will complete the PD314 on give it to the Club Secretary who will sign off on the form .
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 Firearms Regulations there is a 6 month waiting period before you can purchase your first handgun (this excludes black powder firearms). During this waiting period the Club recommends that you attend several shoots. This will allow to you further develop your skills and training requirements.
Graduated Access for Handguns
Legislation prohibits the purchase of 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.
If you have any questions please contact the Club Secretary.