Longarm safety course (Category A/B)

[rj88]

Hi, can anyone tell me approximately how often the longarm safety courses are run in Melbourne? How long have people had to wait for the course after registering interest?
Thanks

[RealNick]

I think I had to wait a bit over 3 weeks to do the course.

And it took an hour and a half or something?

[rj88]

Thanks very much for the info nick

[Shorti85]

I think they're run weekly. And my mate just had to wait 6weeks

[bigfellascott]

Best idea is to ring up the mob you want to do the course with and ask them, some do it weekly, others less often, best to check to get the right info.

[Title_II]

The noisy end points away from you.

Be safe

[sbd3927]

The noisy end points away from you.

Be safe

Also such bits of wisdom as a piece of a firearm.. is a firearm. 1" off the end of a legally repaired barrel (damaged crown, still > minimum length), is a firearm in and of itself according to an officer during my course in Knox, Victoria.
Extending that logic, a magazine with rounds in it, stored separate to the actual firearm, is in fact a loaded firearm... so if you transport ammo separate to your rifle, but it's in a magazine, you have a loaded firearm in your vehicle..., or in your pocket as you walk along a roadside or carpark with an empty chamber......
I still think a judge would throw it out of court, but that's what the officer said.

[juststarting]

You get an invite letter to the course, after you drop off your details to your local police station within two weeks. After that, depends on the numbers or how long or short queue for the course is. First attempt, got the letter on 2 weeks with course scheduled in two weeks after I got the invite, so a month start-to-finish. I was going away, so had to reschedule, again, letter within 2 weeks, but this time had to wait around 6 weeks. Course it self, just a lot of common sense. This is generally the gist of it. If you read the booklet that you get, you will be in and out pretty quick.

[juststarting]

p.s.
When you do get your safety cert and start filling in the form, couple of gotchas (if you are recreational shooter and don't live on the farm)...

#1
Regardless if you are after a shotgun or not, tick A&B, no need to exclude yourself from a category, costs the same, no idea why there are two.
#2
Always for purpose of hunting, get a deer stalking permit - it's cheaper than being a member of a club and does not commit you to regular club visits (which you will be obliged to do if that's the nominated purpose on your application form).
#3
There are these cool little safes, for like $250 (http://suffolksports.com.au/wp-content/ ... kor-G1.jpg) that are designed for three rifles or up to five... DON'T get it, get the next size up. 1. you will get more guns. Yeah, you will. 2. Rifle+medium rings+scope will not fit in that safe as intended, means you need to stand it sideways, now see point 1 - only big enough for one rifle (also you will be banging scope turrets or bolt handle on the frame every time you access the rifle).

[rj88]

So much great advice, thanks very much everyone! And had no idea the deer stalking permit would be cheaper - nice one.

[rj88]

The noisy end points away from you.

Be safe

Extending that logic, a magazine with rounds in it, stored separate to the actual firearm, is in fact a loaded firearm... so if you transport ammo separate to your rifle, but it's in a magazine, you have a loaded firearm in your vehicle..., or in your pocket as you walk along a roadside or carpark with an empty chamber.......

...this is totally nuts! I remember the good old days when you could just walk in off the street and buy a 22. Sigh.

[RealNick]

#1
Regardless if you are after a shotgun or not, tick A&B, no need to exclude yourself from a category, costs the same, no idea why there are two.
#2
Always for purpose of hunting, get a deer stalking permit - it's cheaper than being a member of a club and does not commit you to regular club visits (which you will be obliged to do if that's the nominated purpose on your application form).

The whole A/B category thing and genuine reasons is such a joke.

Tick A/B and write hunting on a form and you can use rimfire and centrefire at the range, forests or private property to hunt.

Tick A and write target shooting on a form, and using a cat B firearm and/or going hunting would make you a criminal. Because you ticked one box and not another.

The only point that there could be for the A / B categories is if someone was rejected for a B license but approved for an A license. Which I'd bet the farm has never happened before.