Non-licensed shooter on private property

[5Tom]

A friend says that's possible as long as the non-licensed person is supervised by a licensed person, but only on private property?

For example, if a farmer/property owner has better knowledge about his own property and wants to help guide, drive or spot for a licensed hunter, can we still get in trouble with the police for having a non-licensed person around firearms?

[Member-Deleted]

I couldn't see why not, that would be no different to takeing your kids along.

[VICHunter]

A friend says that's possible as long as the non-licensed person is supervised by a licensed person, but only on private property?

For example, if a farmer/property owner has better knowledge about his own property and wants to help guide, drive or spot for a licensed hunter, can we still get in trouble with the police for having a non-licensed person around firearms?

When you say "around firearms" do you mean the unlicensed person will be shooting, or just with you?

If you mean can a non-licensed shoot be with licensed shooters at the time that's definitely fine. There is nothing against proximity to firearms for anyone.

In regards to having an unlicensed person shooting, just be wary of advice because it does vary by state. Off the top of my head for example, last time I checked in SA you can shooting on private property while unlicensed under supervision but in Victoria you can only shoot on private property while licensed.

I did a quick search of the QLD weapons act for 'unlicensed' and I came up with these...

53. An unlicensed person may use a weapon at an approved range

54 Possession or use of weapon by unlicensed person in primary production sometimes allowed
(1) In this section—
primary producer means a person who—
(a) has a licence; and
(b) usually carries out primary production on land (the primary producer's land), even if only as an agent or employee of another person.
weapon means a weapon that a primary producer possesses under the authority of a licence.

(2) A person who is an agent, employee or member of the immediate family of the primary producer may possess or use a weapon on the primary producer's land, even if the person does not hold a licence for that category of weapon, if the person—

(a) assists the primary producer with primary production on the land; and
(b) is eligible to obtain a licence to possess a weapon; and
(c) only uses the weapon with the express consent of the primary producer; and
(d) only uses the weapon in connection with carrying out primary production on the land.

Based on the above it looks like you can only shoot on private property under the supervision of a licensed primary producer.

There may be other legislation which says unlicensed people can shoot under regular supervision, but I couldn't find it in that search.

One of the QLD boys will have a definitive answer hopefully...

[5Tom]

Thanks for that, forgot to mention I'm in QLD.

I don't believe the property owner is a primary producer, but if there isn't a problem for a non-licenced, non-shooter to be within proximity to me (say for guiding/spotting) then that should be all good.

[brisb]

Dunno the answer to your question sorry as I've only been out with fellow licensed shooters so it wasn't a concern for us.

If in doubt though, drop QLD Weapons Licensing an email so you get a response in writing.

Ph: (07) 3015 7777
Email: [email protected]

[chacka]

I don't believe the property owner is a primary producer, but if there isn't a problem for a non-licenced, non-shooter to be within proximity to me (say for guiding/spotting) then that should be all good.

You can definitely have non-licensed people in your party mate, no worries.

If you're taking someone along as a guide for you to shoot that's no problem at all.