Range Rules - SSAA ranges

[Point223]

Hi all,

Yesterday I was at the range for the first time. St Mary's Shooting Range (SSAA range) The guy behind the counter asked for my license, and my SSAA membership card which was reasonable. But then he also asked for my Driver License. I really didnt want to give that out as it has my address where I keep my gun but I really wanted to shoot so i gave it to him.

My question is, do you give out your Driver license when you go to the range to shoot? Or just the Firearm license and the SSAA membership card?

I'm a little paranoid and untrusting when it comes to anyone that is not a cop about my residential address due to it being a firearm storage location. Hell I don't even trust cops with that information but have to because it's the law.

Any ideas anyone?

[Baldrick314]

I've never been asked for my DL at the range. Never been to St Marys either though

[Point223]

Do you go to an SSAA range?

[brett1868]

I shoot there all the time and never been ask for D/L, possibly you looked a little different to the photo on the firearms license and they wanted to double check.

As for being worred about your address, it's on your SSAA membership card and once they scan the barcode it they can possibly see it onscreen as well.

I know a few of the guys there reasonably well and you've nothing to worry about with them.

[Point223]

Thanks for the information Brett. I feel a bit better knowing next time I can just say the Firearms license and the SSAA membership are more than enough and i'd like to opt out giving my address.. All the same I think they asked for the license because i asked to borrow one of their .22s.

as for the SSAA card, I changed my address with the SSAA to display a PO box instead of my residential address because I don't trust everyone to look at my address. I asked the SSAA office and they said the guys at the range officer cannot view any of your details aside from the client number and branch due to privacy reasons.


I know all of this is paranoia, but wherever can go wrong will go wrong. Anyone else want to share their thoughts on this topic?

[Lorgar]

I go to two different SSAA ranges and I've never been asked for anything other than my SSAA membership to scan for the range fee discount and signing in.

I've been asked if I'm licensed a couple of times, not all of them, but never been asked for the license itself.

[Seconds]

There is no reason your shooters license shouldn't be enough. It's legal, government issue ID just the same as your drivers license.

Really s**ts me when people when people get OCD about ID and want everything including the kitchen sink from you.

Not suggesting anything suss is going on, just saying.

Next time maybe you "forget" to bring your drives license

[agentzero]

They're probably meant to get a drivers license from people without shooters licenses so they have some ID on them.

Maybe he's just in the habit of asking for it and didn't think it through.

[Chronos]

If you bought ammo then you are required to shot your licence as they record your address

Chronos

[Point223]

1. From my understanding is you can't shoot without an instructor if you don't have a firearms license. That's the law.

2. It doesn't make any sense to give out my address to every joe everytime i buy ammo. That compromises security of your firearms. Think about it! There's a reason your address isn't displayed on the Firearms license.

I'm getting mixed responses and it's hard to determine whether you have to show your Driver license or not. Next time i'm there i'll say I dont want to give out my driver license and see how that goes.

[Skadoo]

I don't know the answer to your question sorry as SA may be completely different but something to note...

Make sure your looking at the info for NSW and not other states. e.g. the Ammo bill where they record your address when buying is a NSW thing, not other states.

This could be where some wires are getting crossed.

[VICHunter]

2. It doesn't make any sense to give out my address to every joe everytime i buy ammo. That compromises security of your firearms. Think about it! There's a reason your address isn't displayed on the Firearms license.

Just because something is stupid doesn't mean the government won't do it.

In Victoria for example your address is on your license. Lose your license here and it's a road map to firearms basically...

[Chronos]

2. It doesn't make any sense to give out my address to every joe everytime i buy ammo. That compromises security of your firearms. Think about it! There's a reason your address isn't displayed on the Firearms licence

You're about 18 months late on that argument mate. We fought the ammo bill as best we could and rafts what we got. At one point it looked like we would be required to present the original copy of our rifle rego papers before we could even buy ammo

As far as your address being available to gunshops, the New South Wales firearms registry can't even keep our details a secret, how do you expect a gun shop to? I was in a gunshop the other day and bought ammo, the counter jockey left the ammo purchase register on the counter when he was done. Any casual shopper could have picked up the book and gone home with a firearms caliber shopping list

Chronos

[mausermate]

I am not sure what you do when paranoia sets in and you get in a panic that your gun, boat, car, bike etc is going to be stolen if people find out you have one and where it is located. Our information is readily available to millions thanks to the www.

However, you probably have more of a chance of being followed home from the range or gun shop than someone accessing your details from paper work at the range or gunshop. Don't laugh! it happens to motocross riders all the time.

Best option is to lock your stuff down hard, get an alarm and make sure that even if someone does know it's there....they can't get it.

[Chronos]

I am not sure what you do when paranoia sets in and you get in a panic that your gun, boat, car, bike etc is going to be stolen if people find out you have one and where it is located. Our information is readily available to millions thanks to the www.

However, you probably have more of a chance of being followed home from the range or gun shop than someone accessing your details from paper work at the range or gunshop. Don't laugh! it happens to motocross riders all the time.

Best option is to lock your stuff down hard, get an alarm and make sure that even if someone does know it's there....they can't get it.

yeah i have to agree MM, just look at some of the cars at the ranges, Remington, Tikka or SSAA stickers on the back window say it all

Chronos

[brett1868]

I'll ask Marc next time I'm out St Mary's and see what the deal is with the drivers license. I suspect that since you asked to use one of their rifles they are legally obliged to fully identify your name and residential address for the records as required by law.

[Baldrick314]

Do you go to an SSAA range?

Sorry, yeah I do. Seaham (newcastle)

[Noisydad]

Don't normally shoot at "normal" ranges and have only shot at two but both were SSAA affiliated and both used different rules. Is that normal?

[Westy]

Don't normally shoot at "normal" ranges and have only shot at two but both were SSAA affiliated and both used different rules. Is that normal?

Yep

Same Association different WANKERS!!!!!!!!!!

[Point223]

Was doing a bit more reading on the topic. And Chronos is right, according to NSW ammunition law we have to provide ID with residential address before buying ammunition.
This is straight off the NSW police website

[What requirements must be met to purchase ammunition?]

Sections 65 & 45A of the Firearms Act 1996 prescribe that ammunition for a firearm may only be sold to a person who produces at the time of the sale:
1.Identification showing the name and address of the purchaser, and
2.A current firearms licence or permit for a firearm that takes the type of ammunition being purchased, or
3.A permit authorising the person to purchase the ammunition.

EFFIN BULLSH1T seriously?!

HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO KEEP MY EFFIN GUNS SAFE? I'm seriously losing it here what kind of law is this and what purpose does it serve that i give my address away?

It's like I need an ID with a fake address on it? I'm not jeoprodising the safety of my family and guns because some twat in the government decided it's best to compromise gun owners identities...

[bluerob]

Dude, calm down. I understand your concerns, but, there's more chance of someone following you home from the range or even your LGS. I seriously suggest that you don't consider any fake identities. You could lose your license and firearms if you start playing around with fake documents.

Get involved with the Shooters & Fishers Party, support your preferred shooting organisation (SSAA Etc) and be aware of what's going on around you. Times are changing, but, paranoia won't help you. Just be aware if what's going on around you.

[BBJ]

Best option is to lock your stuff down hard, get an alarm and make sure that even if someone does know it's there....they can't get it.

And have insurance.

I'd never be without it.

[Point223]

Mate! I wouldn't get followed from home as I go on a highway... mid way I park my car off the highway and wait 5 minutes until every car i see in the distance passes and then i'll continue... I park my car in garage and move my rifle from garade door leading to the house. Goddamn it even my wife doesn't know where the safe is and whether i have guns in it. I moved my safe in at 3AM in the morning with not a soul watching....

If my location is ever compromised it will be through the legislation mentioned above where i have to give out my address everytime i buy ammunition. PERIOD.

What LGS stand for anyways?

[Carter]

Local Gun Store.

[Point223]

I see.... Have any of you guys ever bought ammunition without a proof of address?

[bluerob]

I see.... Have any of you guys ever bought ammunition without a proof of address?

Yep, years ago. Before the radical changes to firearms legislation started. The Shooters & Fishers are trying to have the Ammo Bill amended. Not sure how that's going?

That's why I suggest trying to support Shooters & Fishers Party and SSAA etc. The people at these organizations are at the coal face of dealing with our (shooters) issues, like the anti gun (predominately the Greens) who are currently pushing for a ban on semi auto hand guns.

They will then move onto semi auto shotguns, pump actions, lever actions and probably revolvers. If they had their way, we'd be lucky to have single shot .22's.

[cavok]

Mate! I wouldn't get followed from home as I go on a highway... mid way I park my car off the highway and wait 5 minutes until every car i see in the distance passes and then i'll continue... I park my car in garage and move my rifle from garade door leading to the house. Goddamn it even my wife doesn't know where the safe is and whether i have guns in it. I moved my safe in at 3AM in the morning with not a soul watching....

If my location is ever compromised it will be through the legislation mentioned above where i have to give out my address everytime i buy ammunition. PERIOD.

What LGS stand for anyways?

Another great reason to load your own, once a year or so you need to re supply, or buy more and then have enough raw material to keep you and your family supplied with ammunition till hell freezes over. No more worrying over being followed or needing to relocate the safe.

[Point223]

The ammo Bill is full of sh1t that's all I've got to say.. I can understand the bit about ensuring everyone buy the type of ammo matching their firearm, but the bit about the addresses of Law abiding firearms owners is just atrocious! All it does is create a nice little shopping list for crims!

[Norton]

Hopefully they come to their senses for you blokes soon enough and scrap the nonsense.

[Point223]

Hopefully they come to their senses for you blokes soon enough and scrap the nonsense.

I can't see it ever getting better.. it can only get worse from here forward!

f*** THE GREENS! seriously.. f*** em!