NSW PPL and PTA Questions

[Patches]

G'day all,

I've recently joined a pistol club located within regional NSW for the purposes of target shooting and have held the PPL for almost 5 months and completed beyond the 3 mandatory shooting activities during this time. Whilst I've bombarded the members of the pistol club with various questions and read through the Firearms Registry documents, I'm still uncertain on the entirety of the PPL and PTA compliance conditions.

1) Within the first six months of holding the PPL (i.e. prior to PTA approval), am I able to possess pistol ammunition (in the applicable calibres, which are predominantly .177" and .22" LR) and transport it to and from the pistol club grounds? If I'm understanding correctly, I cannot purchase the pistol ammunition directly from the dealer without the PTA or firearm registration certificate, but possession (sourced from the pistol club) seems ambiguous. The P650 assessment states that this isn't permissible, yet members of the pistol club have suggested that it is as long as it's transported responsibly (i.e. within a concealed lockbox). Ideally, I'd like to avoid possessing any pistol ammunition prior to the PTA approval, but the individual with access to the pistol club's safe has limited availability, making participation in scheduled shooting activities difficult.

2) In the interests of reducing costs, are there any restrictions on bulk purchasing pistol ammunition (once again, in the applicable calibres), regardless of the licence type (i.e. PPL or full)?

3) For the initial PTA, members of the pistol club suggested opting for a used competition pistol kit (with conversion kits for both .22" LR and .32" S&W WC) from Hammerli, Pardini, Walther, etc. which would be more versatile and allow me to compete in both centre-fire and rim-fire events. Additionally, there is a cost benefit to purchasing the pistol kit as opposed to the pistol and conversion kit separately (e.g. for the Pardini SP RF and HP the difference is approximately $500 AUD). However, I'm concerned that I would be in breach of the following condition outlined within the PPL fact sheet: "you must not possess a centre-fire and rim-fire pistol at the same time - section 31(3C) of the Firearms Act 1996." I've been told that this would be compliant (as the conversion kit is recorded as a spare part and not necessarily registered as a separate pistol), but even if it is, I'm uncertain how this would work with purchasing ammunition (i.e. if there would be a limitation for .22" LR only), if it'd be illegal to switch the conversion kit between .22" LR and .32" S&W WC at an event, and if this would raise concerns during a scheduled safe storage inspection.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[bullzeye]

1) No - you shouldn't be possessing any ammunition at home. Buy ammo at the range when you are shooting, don't take the ammo home - it's unnecessary. As you know - you will be supervised at all times by a range officer. There should be a Club Armourer who supplies ammo to members.

2) No restrictions. You can buy as much ammo as you like once you've got a firearm/ rego papers.

3) Your first pistol has to be either rimfire or centrefire. It can't be both. Start off with a cheap, second hand 22. This is what most people do.

IMO - you are over complicating things. All of this goes slowly. Take your time.

[Bullet-Tooth Tony]

Hi All,

My son is turning 18 soon, he has a minors permit. I hold a Cat A & B licence. We are hoping to start in pistol shooting. Once we have completed our safety course, we will both apply for Cat H license. We live in NSW, from the Police Force Community Portal website, there is a well explained path for me to add Category H to my existing license.

Though for my son, We would like to organise the safety course for Cat H just before he needs to apply for his adult firearms license. The Police Community Portal doesn't say what is the procedure a minor needs to follow when they turn 18 and apply for adult firearms license. Nor the scenario where a minor would like to include additional categories.

I am guessing would my son need to apply for a new license? covering cat A, B and H.

Though I have heard (if someone can help to verify) that if a minor turns 18 with a minors permit, then within 2 months of turning 18 they can apply for an adult license without requiring to complete the (rifle) safety course again?

Any guidance here would be greatly appreciated.

Bullet-Tooth Tony

[Bullet-Tooth Tony]

Hi All,

Slight change on my post, so has organised a schoolies trip and unable to attend the safety course is a local club this year. Will try to pistol safety course in the new year.

So, will just apply for new license for son in December this year. My question changes a little.

I've looked on the NSW Police portal and there is literally no information regarding the process on how a minor would apply for a full license. Like is it a renewal or a new application? I am guessing that it is a new application, please tell me otherwise.

And I have heard that minors have 2 months to apply for full license without need to resit the safety firearms course. is this true? if so, when making the new application, is there a field / section in the application to state transitioning from minors permit to full (adult) license?

Cheers in advance for any help.

Bullet-Tooth Tony

[Ballistix]

Hi Tony,

It is a new application. The permit is not a licence, only an authority. The minor's firearm's permit will expire by operation of law on your son's 18th birthday; however, the authority specified by the permit to possess and use firearms continues for three months after his 18th birthday provided there is a subsisting application for a firearms licence awaiting determination by the Commissioner.

(Refer Firearms Act, ss. 32(7) and (8); and Firearms Regulations, r.54).

[Bullet-Tooth Tony]

Thanks Ballistix, looks like a trip to the local gun shop for a refresher safety course on his 18th B'day. Will do the pistols safety course next year, seems most clubs are fully booked till around April 2025.