Waiting on Vicpol..

[Gettingstarted]

Hi,
New member to the forum, tho I have been reading for a long time. I did a lot of hunting as a teenager and after a few decades have decided to get back involved. I submitted an safety course application via email to DFO and after a few months (3)of no response I took another application to my local station to re-submit and ask procedure. I was assured form would be forwarded onto DFO and I would hear back soon, 2 months later and nothing. How long does it usually take in Vic to hear back or to sit course? Sick of waiting but not sure if this is normal? Any advice would be appreciated cheers. And great forum.

[bladeracer]

As Bentaz says, go straight to your DFO.
I would also ask him to follow your original application back to see where it went missing. Maybe it hit the desk of an "anti" and managed to get "lost".

[John Potter]

I did the safety course about 4 months ago. Was told it might take 2-3 months to get in due to the high demand. Took 4 weeks and I was booked in. Then licence came 4 weeks after I sent off and PTA 2 weeks after that. You might be in a region that has a higher demand than me though. I'm in Hume.

[Gettingstarted]

Thanks guys, will call DFO tomorrow. Cheers.

[RealNick]

Gotta follow up with the DFO direct.

Seen more than one case where people were booked into the course but not notified.

Not a lot of work ethic in doing right by the "customer" from some DFO's around the place it seems.

Book you in, don't tell you, your loss... oh well.

[Wes]

If you ring your DFO to book in, he/she will tell you when it is, if not maybe asking would be the sensible thing. I don't understand how you could be booked in but not told

That happened to me actually.

It was years ago now so I forget the exact time frames here but it was along the lines of........ I put the safety course applikcation in at the Police station and was told I'd hear back in about 2 weeks when my safety course was booked for.

After 3 weeks I hadn't hear anything so started trying to get hold of the DFO. Called and left messages with other officers and on the machine for the guy, couldn't get hold of the guy, after about 2 weeks got a call back.

I was told my course was a couples of days time, and I'd been booked in weeks ago, but I hadn't received any notification. I should have received a letter apparently.

If I hadn't called repeatedly I would have missed the day.

[Gettingstarted]

Thanks for the advice. All Sorted - rang the DFO who couldn't explain why I hadn't been notified, however he had me in a course two nights later. Have my licence now and looking to buy a couple of rifles!

[Mr.Seacucumber]

Thanks for the advice. All Sorted - rang the DFO who couldn't explain why I hadn't been notified, however he had me in a course two nights later. Have my licence now and looking to buy a couple of rifles!

That's good new, hope you enjoy your new money pit hobby

[Oldbloke]

. Just spotted this thread. Good that it has worked out.
What are you buying? 22LR? 223, 3006, 375hh, 12g all of them.

[<<Genesis93>>]

Thanks for the advice. All Sorted - rang the DFO who couldn't explain why I hadn't been notified, however he had me in a course two nights later. Have my licence now and looking to buy a couple of rifles!

a likely story unfortunately....

Why? because the politz ARE ANTI GUN. Thats not speculation or rumor, its fact that they/their union, see firearms as a H&S threat, therefore they want to see LESS firearms and NOT more 'in the community.... so not only will they not encourage (some individuals might) but they would try to STIFLE the take up and prevent newbs coming on board.....

So its really no surprise, and I would expect most prospectives would have to follow up several times to get a booking....

Up until a few years ago (8 or 10??) is used to drop the PTA in at the local cop shop.... and it would be delivered via 'internal mail' to LSD..... then it became too hard and they wouldnt accept them.... yeah, why would they make it any easier, go conventional post thanks. Now the Registry doesnt even accept counter enquiries in the city.....strictly by appointment thanks.

[Gettingstarted]

Old bloke - thanks. Started a thread over on calibre regarding option. Getting 22 and debating 204 or 223. Like the idea of 204 but getting overwhelming advice to go 223.

Genisis - maybe, tho DFO I dealt with is a shooter and seemed pretty positive towards the process. Tho who knows.
Cheers.

[<<Genesis93>>]

Old bloke - thanks. Started a thread over on calibre regarding option. Getting 22 and debating 204 or 223. Like the idea of 204 but getting overwhelming advice to go 223.

Genisis - maybe, tho DFO I dealt with is a shooter and seemed pretty positive towards the process. Tho who knows.
Cheers.

Well of course he'd say that... he's got an M&P40 strapped to his waist.... he was playing the "I'm one of you" card.....dont be under any illusion... they see you as one of 'them'....

Anyway, good luck, go hard, buy lots of guns, do lots of shooitn and get your mates shootin too

[shouta]

Recent Experience:

Applied for A&B Safety Course inJuly and was booked in and sat course end of September.
Licence took 30 Days to arrive.
I sent off PTA with Licence Application and received PTA 3 Days after receiving Licence.

So the only real delay was in sitting the safety course.

[<<Genesis93>>]

2 months for the safety course is BS.....its an evening session that takes an hour or 2.... if there are that many prospective shooters they MUST crank up more session.

Why do they not do that?
Just another way they cant slow down the take up, as VICPOL have declared, they want LESS firearms in the community without distinguishing between illicit and licit. Less licence holder = less guns.

[happyhunter]

What's the go with safety courses these days? I took my nephew to his a few years back, country town, held by SSAA volunteers and it was simple as go sign up at the cop shop and turn up a week later for the course. Has the system changed or is it simply demand for places?

[Supaduke]

It's partially because you must sit your course in the region you reside. I guided a mate through his and the safety course in our area was booked out for about 6 weeks. Tried to book into a different DFO in a different region and was informed "no can do". So where you live makes a big difference.

[Bigjobss]

2 months for the safety course is BS.....its an evening session that takes an hour or 2.... if there are that many prospective shooters they MUST crank up more session.

Why do they not do that?
Just another way they cant slow down the take up, as VICPOL have declared, they want LESS firearms in the community without distinguishing between illicit and licit. Less licence holder = less guns.

My local DFO dealt with me in a way that would support this. After emails and calls a few times over a week with no response I finally got her and was told I would be on a 'waiting list' for the next open spot, but she couldn't tell me when the next course was because she hadn't booked a venue yet and she also couldn't guarantee that I would even be in it!
When I asked her for an expected date for the next course, and this was very gently mind you, she responded with the anger inducing line of "is there any reason that you are in such a hurry to get a firearm?" And while I was thinking "yeh I just thought of one" I just told her I wanted to go deer hunting before the end of winter.

After a couple days of fuming over the lack of care I called around and spoke to another DFO a couple districts over and got treated with respect and was actually able to get a seat within a week.

[happyhunter]

Ring your local district DFO http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=34744
An he/she will book you in.

Is this requirement to book safety courses the the DFO something recent?

[bladeracer]

Ring your local district DFO http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=34744
An he/she will book you in.

Is this requirement to book safety courses the the DFO something recent?

I would think it's been a requirement since it was instituted.
It'd be unworkable to fit in 2-3hr lectures on the fly for individuals.
When I did mine I think it was about 3 weeks wait.
My brother in Canberra waited a lot longer than that.

[<<Genesis93>>]

2 months for the safety course is BS.....its an evening session that takes an hour or 2.... if there are that many prospective shooters they MUST crank up more session.

Why do they not do that?
Just another way they cant slow down the take up, as VICPOL have declared, they want LESS firearms in the community without distinguishing between illicit and licit. Less licence holder = less guns.

My local DFO dealt with me in a way that would support this. After emails and calls a few times over a week with no response I finally got her and was told I would be on a 'waiting list' for the next open spot, but she couldn't tell me when the next course was because she hadn't booked a venue yet and she also couldn't guarantee that I would even be in it!
When I asked her for an expected date for the next course, and this was very gently mind you, she responded with the anger inducing line of "is there any reason that you are in such a hurry to get a firearm?" And while I was thinking "yeh I just thought of one" I just told her I wanted to go deer hunting before the end of winter.

After a couple days of fuming over the lack of care I called around and spoke to another DFO a couple districts over and got treated with respect and was actually able to get a seat within a week.

Some would call my opinions concerning the way the police handle the matter of firearm licensing as pessimism or cynicism.... over time and dealing with, listening to...... it became the reality...

She asked you "Why" you need a firearm because she was itching to find a reason to deny you.....She was hoping you'd be a young hot head and snap back "cause its mi right!!"

The only involvement Police should have in relation to firearms is enforcement of the laws...thats it.. not administration of the licensing system, nor the body tasked with making the laws concerning guns - which IS what they are -de facto- just look at the NFA fiasco, the Police minister taking their advice from where? the parliament? no not a chance, its the senior police 'staff'. That pises me off, they should be asking the people not those who want guns off the streets - that licit as well as illicit.

Administration of the licensing should be done by Vicroads as 'we' have already spend the money setting up the statewide infrastructure necessary. if they can do car, boat an bike... they can do guns.

[happyhunter]

Ring your local district DFO http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=34744
An he/she will book you in.

Is this requirement to book safety courses the the DFO something recent?

I would think it's been a requirement since it was instituted.
It'd be unworkable to fit in 2-3hr lectures on the fly for individuals.
When I did mine I think it was about 3 weeks wait.
My brother in Canberra waited a lot longer than that.

I'm talking about making the booking. Last time I had anything to do with a gun safety course was booking my nephew in so he could obtain his junior permit. This was back in 2008 if I remember correctly and all we did was go to the local cop shop and the senior constable put his name on a list for the course. He only waited 2 weeks. The course instructors were local SSAA members, so I'm wondering why everybody keeps referring to having to deal with the DFO?

[bladeracer]

I'm talking about making the booking. Last time I had anything to do with a gun safety course was booking my nephew in so he could obtain his junior permit. This was back in 2008 if I remember correctly and all we did was go to the local cop shop and the senior constable put his name on a list for the course. He only waited 2 weeks. The course instructors were local SSAA members, so I'm wondering why everybody keeps referring to having to deal with the DFO?

I can't really say. When I made my first enquiry about getting my Vic licence I went straight to my local DFO so everything came through him.
Whether that was a requirement in 2014 I can't say.
My lecture was also run by SSAA members, although much of what they told us was rubbish, and they weren't able to answer the questions I asked them. If all the firearm safety lectures are similar to mine I can't say that they have much value at all. I was coming from Perth so I already had some idea of firearms requirements, but I needed to find out specifically which rules from WA did not apply here, or were actually illegal here. For example, in WA you can't borrow firearms, here you can. In WA you can't possess ammunition for a firearm you don't have listed on your licence, here you can.
The lecturers need to understand that applicants come from different states and countries with different laws that they have already learned.

The lecture was done in a conference room within the Police station and the DFO was in attendance throughout.

[happyhunter]

Appears the system has changed, and not for the better.

[Oldbloke]

I'm talking about making the booking. Last time I had anything to do with a gun safety course was booking my nephew in so he could obtain his junior permit. This was back in 2008 if I remember correctly and all we did was go to the local cop shop and the senior constable put his name on a list for the course. He only waited 2 weeks. The course instructors were local SSAA members, so I'm wondering why everybody keeps referring to having to deal with the DFO?

I can't really say. When I made my first enquiry about getting my Vic licence I went straight to my local DFO so everything came through him.
Whether that was a requirement in 2014 I can't say.
My lecture was also run by SSAA members, although much of what they told us was rubbish, and they weren't able to answer the questions I asked them. If all the firearm safety lectures are similar to mine I can't say that they have much value at all. I was coming from Perth so I already had some idea of firearms requirements, but I needed to find out specifically which rules from WA did not apply here, or were actually illegal here. For example, in WA you can't borrow firearms, here you can. In WA you can't possess ammunition for a firearm you don't have listed on your licence, here you can.
The lecturers need to understand that applicants come from different states and countries with different laws that they have already learned.

The lecture was done in a conference room within the Police station and the DFO was in attendance throughout.

Thats because thet do not pay the trainers.

[bladeracer]

Thats because they do not pay the trainers.

I expected they were volunteers, but I've known lots of volunteers that have a much better understanding of their subject matter.
I don't place any value on the lecture so at least using volunteers means there's no cost. I know NSW you have to pay for the safety lecture.