Queensland Weapons Licensing - Wait times

[StraightWhiteMale]

Just got off the phone with weapons licensing. I finely rang up to tell them that I forgot to put down send to dealer on my PTA. So she put down a note on the case id to change it from post. They can't change the submission they can only make notes and when my licence gets approved they will get notified and realise the PTA to the dealer.

Then I said oh by the way since I am here hows my licence application going. She transfered me from PTA section to licence section and that lady said that she can't see anything wrong with my application and I am in the “waiting and assessment” pile that can take up to 12 weeks, my firearm saftey course is still in date and if they need any info they will ring me. Today is day 39 since I lodged and still no ID check so now we just wait.


So in the meantime I'm just doing some home renos. Haha

[CTW]

Just got off the phone with weapons licensing.....
Today is day 39 since I lodged and still no ID check so now we just wait.


So in the meantime I'm just doing some home renos. Haha

It is painful to just sit and wait. Thanks for the update. Hopefully time will pass quickly and reno goes well.

[rc42]

Just up to the 9 week mark waiting for my Cat H license, with a probable 3 more weeks waiting followed by 2 an additional weeks for license card printing I've got the sinking feeling that COVID-19 is going to set in and shut everything down before then and add many months to the process.

The first confirmed case within WLB will have their office evacuated for at least two weeks, hopefully their computer systems will allow staff to work from home as looking at the information provided about each applicant on their system is largely all they have to do.

[Reverse]

Hi everybody,

Just a an update on my situation. Received my license yesterday in the mail, thought I’d let everyone else suffering through the process know how it turned out.

Applied for initial Cat H. Heard nothing after 6 weeks, so gave WLB a quick call to make sure they received everything. The man looked up my file and said yes, got everything, call back at 12 weeks.
Rang again at 10 weeks anyway, they said all good, ring back at 12 weeks.
Rang back at 12 weeks, the guy looked up my file, and said he’d send the ID check email soon.
I received it 30 minutes later, and went to the local police station the same day.
Received my licence approval 2 days later, along with my PTA approval that I submitted with my application.
I received my licence yesterday in the mail, 11 days after receiving the approval email.
Pistol now securely in my safe.

[Rwd22]

Hi everybody,

Just a an update on my situation. Received my license yesterday in the mail, thought I’d let everyone else suffering through the process know how it turned out.

Applied for initial Cat H. Heard nothing after 6 weeks, so gave WLB a quick call to make sure they received everything. The man looked up my file and said yes, got everything, call back at 12 weeks.
Rang again at 10 weeks anyway, they said all good, ring back at 12 weeks.
Rang back at 12 weeks, the guy looked up my file, and said he’d send the ID check email soon.
I received it 30 minutes later, and went to the local police station the same day.
Received my licence approval 2 days later, along with my PTA approval that I submitted with my application.
I received my licence yesterday in the mail, 11 days after receiving the approval email.
Pistol now securely in my safe.

Great news mate, it's a hell of a ride and you don't quite know how to take it with everyone getting different timeline results.

I got reasonably lucky with A/B and everything happened in a best case scenario timeline similar to others' stories, I'll be in for H application mid year, so I'll have the great joy of undergoing the waiting game again.

[CTW]

Hi everybody,

Just a an update on my situation. Received my license yesterday in the mail, thought I’d let everyone else suffering through the process know how it turned out.

Applied for initial Cat H. Heard nothing after 6 weeks, so gave WLB a quick call to make sure they received everything. The man looked up my file and said yes, got everything, call back at 12 weeks.
Rang again at 10 weeks anyway, they said all good, ring back at 12 weeks.
Rang back at 12 weeks, the guy looked up my file, and said he’d send the ID check email soon.
I received it 30 minutes later, and went to the local police station the same day.
Received my licence approval 2 days later, along with my PTA approval that I submitted with my application.
I received my licence yesterday in the mail, 11 days after receiving the approval email.
Pistol now securely in my safe.

Congrats! Enjoy shooting your own pistol!

[JimTom]

Anyone have a rough idea how long PTA for Cat B rifle is taking nowadays? Haven’t put one in for a fair while however the last one was back quite quickly. This one is rapidly approaching the two week mark.

[Medb]

Anyone have a rough idea how long PTA for Cat B rifle is taking nowadays? Haven’t put one in for a fair while however the last one was back quite quickly. This one is rapidly approaching the two week mark.

I put in for a Cat B on the 3rd, got approval email next day on the 4th, was in the letterbox a week later on the 11th. If it's getting emailed to a dealer it's usually even quicker.

This was for a private sale and the guy I purchased it off was amazed I got the PTA done so fast, he said it usually takes 3-4 weeks for him. So evidently you can experience quite different lengths for whatever reason.

[JimTom]

Half your luck mate. That’s a quick turn around for sure. Thanks for the reply mate.

[CTW]

Just up to the 9 week mark waiting for my Cat H license, with a probable 3 more weeks waiting followed by 2 an additional weeks for license card printing I've got the sinking feeling that COVID-19 is going to set in and shut everything down before then and add many months to the process.

The first confirmed case within WLB will have their office evacuated for at least two weeks, hopefully their computer systems will allow staff to work from home as looking at the information provided about each applicant on their system is largely all they have to do.

Hi rc, these are my concerns too.
We are sitting in times many of people and organisations have not been in before or prepared for. All we can do is just be patient and hope and pray for the best. I am hoping that the rate of infections will start to decrease in the near future showing containment and control over this virus. We are so close to the 12 week mark too!

[ridi235]

I put in for Cat A/B on 4/3/20 and got my email for an ID check on 14/3 and went in today and did it. Maybe they're not waiting for the 28 days to do ID checks anymore? The email said they're still yet to assess the application itself and any supporting documents so maybe they're just doing ID checks whenever they look at the app in the first place. On one hand it makes me hopeful that it'll be a quick app but on the other hand I don't want to be disappointed when it's not. Waiting is the worst.

[rc42]

Trying to work out how WLB deal with applications will just end in confusion, there are no clear patterns or order for things to happen and no clear timeline other than they will try to process an application in 12 weeks.

The ID check for an A/B application should be automated, but then the entire application process could be automated if they wanted it to be. A real person would have to check the submitted documents and read the information and notes that security services have gathered about each of us but everything else could be automated.

Maybe the problem with the process is the ever increasing volume of security service data covering every website you've ever visited and perhaps every comment that you've ever typed into an internet forum.
And on that note I'd like to add that WLB are a fantastic group of hard working, efficient people that deserve more credit than they get, also, please process my application soon

[StraightWhiteMale]

I applied on feb 3 and still no ID check. So the claim that they process in order of receiving is false.

[CTW]

Maybe the problem with the process is the ever increasing volume of security service data covering every website you've ever visited and perhaps every comment that you've ever typed into an internet forum.
And on that note I'd like to add that WLB are a fantastic group of hard working, efficient people that deserve more credit than they get, also, please process my application soon

Hahaha, good one! Let see.

[JimTom]

Well it took a day shy of two weeks for my latest PTA. Not sure how that compares, however for info for anyone who is in the process of waiting for a PTA.

[rc42]

Just reaching week 10 for my Cat H application (A/B holder already), thought I's be cheeky and see how my application was getting along and what the COVID-19 impacts might be, so gave them a call.

No call queue and very helpful chap had a look for me, he said that they all have the ability to work from home so any lock downs should have minimal effect on their processing. I asked if my application was due to be completed anytime soon, my heart sank when his actual words were "not even close", he did check all attachments and documents and said it all looked good, just waiting in the queue and they'll get to it.

Looks like I need to distract myself for another couple of weeks, at least having an A/B means I can go and put some rounds downrange when I feel the need, I didn't have that during the A/B application.

[CTW]

Just reaching week 10 for my Cat H application (A/B holder already), thought I's be cheeky and see how my application was getting along and what the COVID-19 impacts might be, so gave them a call.

No call queue and very helpful chap had a look for me, he said that they all have the ability to work from home so any lock downs should have minimal effect on their processing. I asked if my application was due to be completed anytime soon, my heart sank when his actual words were "not even close", he did check all attachments and documents and said it all looked good, just waiting in the queue and they'll get to it.

Looks like I need to distract myself for another couple of weeks, at least having an A/B means I can go and put some rounds downrange when I feel the need, I didn't have that during the A/B application.

Hey RC, thanks for the update! It is really posituve that they are still going and that they have the ability to work for home. One step/hurdle at a time.

[rc42]

Well, all of the sense of urgency and anticipation for my Cat H license has now gone, with ranges shut there would be nowhere to use my new pistol anyway, I guess WLB can now take their time with it over the next 6 months or so and I'll get it one day.

Hopefully my club and the gun store holding my pistol will both survive financially and I'll still be alive at that time.

[CTW]

Well, all of the sense of urgency and anticipation for my Cat H license has now gone, with ranges shut there would be nowhere to use my new pistol anyway, I guess WLB can now take their time with it over the next 6 months or so and I'll get it one day.

Hopefully my club and the gun store holding my pistol will both survive financially and I'll still be alive at that time.

Hey rc, I know the feeling but hang in there. We will get through this and I am sure the clubs and gunshops will too.
I have it on good authority that WLB is now working remotely but still processing. I am sure that this will cause delays but under the circumstances which is understandable.
Let's stay safe for now.

[PorkEatingCrusader]

Did my ID check today for A/B.

The email said the ID check is the final part of the application and not to contact them for 14 days whilst they do there checks and during this time they may inspect my safe. I have a safe but I have not bolted it down yet as it is only about 111kg. The act states a minimum of 10mm in diameter for the bolts. I will go out and buy some. However I highly doubt they will inspect me before I even get a licence and a PTA. Normally inspections come later if at all.

[Quirinus]

I'm at the very beginning of this epic bureaucratic nightmare. Wifey and I submitted applications for eligibility at the same time. Hers came back in two weeks. Mine took 9 - got it Wednesday. Applied to join a club on Wednesday as well, just before they closed up. Can't do the training etc until they open again. Talk about crap timing.

[rc42]

People have posted about police asking to arrange safe inspections before licenses have been issued but the police cancel when they realize. It would actually be a great time for an inspection, you get their feedback and can fix any issues with no risk of any charges for insecure storage of a firearm (I guess that's why they usually cancel, no possibility of getting a 'result')

The whole shooting range closure issue sucks but it's probably for the best, the age demographic for pistol clubs could be severely impacted by COVID-19. The lucky new members have completed induction and are just waiting out the 6 months probation anyway, the unlucky ones haven't done the induction so all that waiting lies ahead (after the current waiting).

[CTW]

I'm at the very beginning of this epic bureaucratic nightmare. Wifey and I submitted applications for eligibility at the same time. Hers came back in two weeks. Mine took 9 - got it Wednesday. Applied to join a club on Wednesday as well, just before they closed up. Can't do the training etc until they open again. Talk about crap timing.

Give the indoor range in Rothwell, North Brisbane, a call. They might be able to advise on a solution to get the 6 month waiting period started. Worth a shot.

[Reverse]

If you join shooters union qld ($35-$40 per year), and then join their pistol section (a one off payment of $50) your 6 month wait will start ticking over. You still will have to do your minimum 3 shoots at a club at some point, but at least you’ve begun the minimum 6 months.

[CTW]

If you join shooters union qld ($35-$40 per year), and then join their pistol section (a one off payment of $50) your 6 month wait will start ticking over. You still will have to do your minimum 3 shoots at a club at some point, but at least you’ve begun the minimum 6 months.

Thanks Reverse, I knew it was something like that. At least that way he can get going with the wait. The club I joined starts the wait on the induction day.

[Quirinus]

If you join shooters union qld ($35-$40 per year), and then join their pistol section (a one off payment of $50) your 6 month wait will start ticking over. You still will have to do your minimum 3 shoots at a club at some point, but at least you’ve begun the minimum 6 months.

Thanks Reverse and CTW, I'll give that some thought. I'll see what the club comes back with and go from there.

[Rwd22]

I've had a PTA ready to go since mid December for a rifle that still hasn't turned up at my LGS, with the closures, unless they re-asses things, looks like PTA will bloody lapse and I'll have to pay for the renewal of it.

It was looking like my rifle was inbound this week too, oh wait, I think it was last week, or the week before.

Not that any of the ranges are open to use it, but would sure be nice to have had it before all this went down.

[PorkEatingCrusader]

Will all PTAs for sport be denied whilst everything is closed? The act does not mention a range must be open. So legally they can't?

[Rwd22]

Will all PTAs for sport be denied whilst everything is closed? The act does not mention a range must be open. So legally they can't?

Curious about this one too, I heard whispers of WA? not approving PTA's currently.

I imagine it could go either way, but seeing as though this is an interim solution, not an indefinite one, they should still be approving PTA's.

Anyone willing to bet the $40.50 to find out?

I managed to get my probationary pistol shoots in before the ranges closed, so hopefully can still apply for Cat H when the timeline rolls around, my club mentioned they would have the front office open on some days for club approval letters etc.

[rc42]

With gun shops closed, potentially for 6 months or more the best result would actually be for WLB to just suspend PTA processing, it would be infuriating to get a PTA approved and then have to sit watching it expire and then have to apply for another one.


The WLB website is now stating:

"Weapons Licensing phone contact lines will be unavailable for enquiries until further notice. Weapons Licensing staff continue to process applications and will contact applicants should further information be required."

I'm sure there was a line previously stating processing for applications received up to 27th March would still be processed but that now seems to have gone.



Guess I'm lucky that I tested the PTA system last Sunday (22nd) for an air rifle, email approval came through Monday morning (23rd) and dealer received the PTA by email on Tuesday (24th) and I rushed down there and picked an air rifle from their stock.