Bugman wrote:Problem could well be with the fact that you had to produce medical documents with your application. I don't know why you had to do that, and that is your business. Since some tragic events have unfolded recently, the NSW FAR are apparently very (if not overly), cautious and have been having a tendency to check, double check, and triple check before making a decision in such circumstances.
Larry wrote:Sound a bit like the movie minority report. IMHO if they have knocked you back for cat A/B then you have buckleys of a cat H. Sorry to hear that mate you are right though at the end of the day is only a hobby not something you must have.
jwai86 wrote:Well crap. I received an email from the Firearms Registry today notifying me that my Category A/B licence application has been refused. I haven't received anything yet about my provisional pistol licence application, but that axe may have yet to fall.
The Registry stated in the email that the risk assessment report received from my psychiatrist mentioned that it is a possibility that if I get significantly depressed, I may relapse and be unable to form rational judgement. My psychiatrist stated in his report that there has never been any indication that I would pose a risk to public safety, but the Registry is of the opinion that it is not possible to eliminate the possibility in the future. It bothers me that the Registry has made its decision based on what they think I might do in the future, but that's really hard to argue against. There are avenues for appeal, but I would definitely require a lawyer, and there's only so much time and/or money that I am willing to sacrifice for what is ultimately a hobby or pastime.
A work colleague (and firearms owner) pointed out that it is peculiar that the Registry hasn't also sent a notice of refusal for my PPL application when she knows of people who applied for multiple categories and got refused all at once. However, I'm pessimistic about the odds of that meaning that my PPL application could be fully or even conditionally approved.
A fellow member of my pistol club said that he was knocked back for a Category A/B licence several years ago, but he holds a current Category H licence. I'm certain that his circumstances were significantly different, but he thought I was too hasty in applying for multiple licence categories, and questioned why I even need a Category A/B licence in the first place.
jwai86 wrote: I may relapse and be unable to form rational judgement. My psychiatrist stated in his report that there has never been any indication that I would pose a risk to public safety, but the Registry is of the opinion that it is not possible to eliminate the possibility in the future.
It bothers me that the Registry has made its decision based on what they think I might do in the future, but that's really hard to argue against. There are avenues for appeal, but I would definitely require a lawyer, and there's only so much time and/or money that I am willing to sacrifice for what is ultimately a hobby or pastime.
on_one_wheel wrote:If that were me, I would be getting into Archery and be getting my hands on a decent compound bow, a modern recurve bow and an English long bow. I'd be making my own arrows, quivers and finding archery clubs.
Fionn wrote:You may not want to hear it but its a reasonable and correct call by them as someone who is under the care of a psychiatrist shouldn't be allowed to own or use firearms.
Wait a few years after you finish seeing your psychiatrist and if you haven't had a relapse, apply again if still interested.
jwai86 wrote:I was aware of the risk of being refused when I applied, but what hurts more is that the Registry had the risk assessment report since May-June 2021, temporarily lost the information for a time, and kept giving me the run around about (not) processing my applications.
I don't know if I would try applying again in the future after being burned by this experience. Apparently I'm not allowed to do things that might keep me from spiralling into serious medical trouble.
Fionn wrote:Don't you work for a government department/agency? You should know what to expect and the reasons why it took so long.
jwai86 wrote:Fionn wrote:Don't you work for a government department/agency? You should know what to expect and the reasons why it took so long.
I do, but where I am, things don't get left undone and repeatedly buried in internal systems without managers asking uncomfortable questions well before a year or more passes.
jwai86 wrote:I called the registry yesterday about the status of my PPL application because it still appears to be undecided when I checked their website. They have raised yet another escalation as because they said the application was closed on their end. I'll be seeing the process through to the bitter end.
Meanwhile, I guess I'm going to have to find myself a 'normal person' kind of hobby. My folks have tried for years to get me to put on the Lycra and go road cycling with their group of fellow senior citizens. I have always refused, but if I'm forced to go, I will likely see to it that they won't ask again. It's not like I don't have lots of experience with being rude, unfriendly and generally insufferable
bladeracer wrote:Since you probably like the bush, have you tried rogaining or orienteering? I think some even combine this with mountain bikes? If you're into motor sports, Enduro is sort of orienteering on dirt bikes I think, never tried it myself but had mates that did it.
Or volunteering with bush groups, like Landcare (Rose and I are members), or various "friends" groups that look after local bush areas, counting and identifying wildlife and flora, weeding and planting and such - or just start your own group if there isn't one. Personally, I always feel something is missing when I'm in the bush without a rifle, but I still love being out there. Rose and I were going to go bush this arvo to replace rat-chewed wiring on an electric deer fence but the wet weather makes 4x4 access difficult, so we'll give it a few days to dry out. If it stays wet we'll have to trek in soon as they want to start planting native seedlings in a few weeks. A vehicle gets us to 600m of where we need to be. It's pretty steep country so without the vehicle it's a couple of kilometers walk in.
You could try the Army Reserve perhaps?
jwai86 wrote:As strange as it sounds, I'm not an outdoors person by any stretch. All the shooting I've done has been at indoor ranges.
I've previously written about the (now dead) prospect of going hunting, but going out into the bush to do that would be because that's where the animals are, rather than any great love for the outdoors.
As for biking, I have an e-bike but I purchased that more as a practical means of transport than anything else. I already get grief from my parents for not using a 'real' bicycle. I don't need to hear more of the same from random bicycle snobs. They can go play with the traffic in Sydney for all I care.You could try the Army Reserve perhaps?
I wouldn't have made the cut when I was younger, so I definitely won't now.
jwai86 wrote:I haven't bothered with sporting activities (apart from shooting) in ages. Growing up being forever picked last for team sports and receiving next to no positive encouragement has done little to engender interest in such pursuits.
Larry wrote:Mate dont give up, I wouldnt push them too hard for an answer as the easiest answer is no, putting all the onus on you if you want to dispute the answer.
As an aside what about Blacksmithing or Bladesmithing are you any good with you hands? Do you like building making things big or small?
jwai86 wrote:I was engaged in miniature wargaming for a long time, but certain events a few years ago caused my gaming circles to suddenly collapse, which contributed towards a downward spiral in my mental health which has yet to be completely rectified. It feels horribly aimless and hollow to continue buying and building models at home because there's nothing to look forward to, but I keep doing it because it's preferable to completely giving up and sinking into more despair.
I took up shooting in late 2020 hoping to move on by doing something else as a hobby, but that appears to no longer be an option after more than a year of being given the run around by the Registry.
bladeracer wrote:With computers and the internet a guy developed something called VASL, or virtual ASL that allows the game to be played either in real-time across the world or via email. I used to play with guys across Australia, Europe and the US, one guy in Belgium was great fun. Oddly enough, I also played a lot by email with a guy that only lived a few minutes from me, neither of us were good at fitting into other people's schedules. Vassal has since grown to encompass virtually any board game ever invented.
A mate when I was studying was very heavily into Warhammer, and had cupboards full of painstakingly-painted miniatures. I never could get into sci-fi or fantasy stuff though.
Model building developed that same pointlessness after a few years for me as I never did anything with them once they were built.
jwai86 wrote:bladeracer wrote:With computers and the internet a guy developed something called VASL, or virtual ASL that allows the game to be played either in real-time across the world or via email. I used to play with guys across Australia, Europe and the US, one guy in Belgium was great fun. Oddly enough, I also played a lot by email with a guy that only lived a few minutes from me, neither of us were good at fitting into other people's schedules. Vassal has since grown to encompass virtually any board game ever invented.
I've heard of Vassal before, but only in passing.A mate when I was studying was very heavily into Warhammer, and had cupboards full of painstakingly-painted miniatures. I never could get into sci-fi or fantasy stuff though.
I have a wide variety of tastes in the miniatures scene, but WW2 in 15mm scale was my bread and butter for many years.Model building developed that same pointlessness after a few years for me as I never did anything with them once they were built.
The distant hope is that I can use my miniatures again if I can find another bunch of players, but I have yet to succeed even before COVID complicated things further.
jwai86 wrote:I know the Sutherland Shire Gamers club. I regularly attend their annual convention over the October long weekend when it isn't getting cancelled by COVID. However, their weekly gaming sessions are impractical for me to get to. Travelling to their venue by car is at least 45 minutes each way, and that's if I'm paying tolls for the shorter route.
jwai86 wrote:I know the Sutherland Shire Gamers club. I regularly attend their annual convention over the October long weekend when it isn't getting cancelled by COVID. However, their weekly gaming sessions are impractical for me to get to. Travelling to their venue by car is at least 45 minutes each way, and that's if I'm paying tolls for the shorter route.