Q: Do I have to have my photograph taken each time I renew my firearms licence?

A: Yes. As a result of the changes to the Firearms Legislation which came into effect on September 9 1996, all licences granted, renewed, varied or replaced must include a photograph of the holder of the licence.  This can be done at any office of Transport SA - Registration and Licensing, Service SA or in country areas, an Australian Post Office which has photographic facilities.

Q: Can the 28 day waiting period for an application for a permit to acquire a firearm be shortened or waived under any circumstances?

A: S 15 (3) of the Firearms Act states that a permit authorising the acquisition of a firearm can only be granted: (a ) after the expiration of 28 days after the application for the permit was made; and (b) if the applicant holds a firearms licence that authorises possession of the firearm. 

5.15(4) only where special reasons apply can a permit be granted before the 28 day period.

Q: Why is there a delay in receiving my photographic licence after I have paid?

A: From the date of payment there is a minimum waiting period of 21 days before printing. Delays may also occur when a person has not supplied any appropriate justification with their renewal. i.e. club certificate, certificate from employer etc. 

Q: Why have I not received my firearms licence renewal?

A: The most common reason for a person not receiving their Firearms licence Renewal is a failure on behalf of that person to notify the Firearms Branch of a change of address. Firearms Regulation 19 (l) (a), stipulates that the holder of a licence must give the Registrar written notice of all changes in his or her name or address within 14 days after the change occurs.

Q: Do I have to produce 100 points for identification on a licence renewal.

A: No.  Production of an old firearms photo licence will suffice.

Q:  What are the penalties for possession of prescribed firearms?

A: $50, 000 or imprisonment for ten years.

Q: I live interstate, can I bring my firearms into South Australia?

A: Exemption of Persons from outside the State:

Regulation 50 permits persons who usually reside outside the State to use a firearm in South Australia if authorised to do so under the law of their usual place of residence. However, where their usual place of residence is outside Australia, they cannot possess or use a class C, D or H firearm for hunting.

Regulation 50(5) provides that when a person has moved to South Australia, they must, within 7 days after moving, apply for registration of, and for a licence to possess and use, the firearms in their possession. Provided the person complies with this requirement, they may continue to possess and use class A and B firearms, and to possess (but not use) class C, D and H firearms for a period of 3 months after moving, if they were authorised to do so under the law of their former place of residence (pending the determination of their licence application in this State).

Regulation 50

Note:
Persons moving to South Australia and applying for registration of firearms are therefore, under regulation 25(2), not required to produce a 'permit to purchase' nor a firearms licence issued in South Australia. They must, however, produce the firearm(s) to be registered, along with the appropriate certificate(s) of registration for the firearm(s) and their firearms licence issued under the law of their usual or former place of residence at the time of making a firearms licence application.

Q: I wish to cancel my firearms licence. What do I do?

A: If you are the holder of a current SA Firearms Licence and you still own or possess a firearm you must firstly dispose of the firearm. Methods of disposal can include sale to a private individual (with the required prior permission being granted from Firearms Branch on an Application for Permission to Purchase a Firearm), sale or disposal through a licensed firearms dealer or the surrender of firearm to SAPOL. Notification that you wish to relinquish your licence can then be made to Firearms Branch of SAPOL in writing or on a Form PD309 - Firearms Notification Sheet  PDF ( KB) that is also available at any Police Station.

Q: What if I have a firearm that is not registered. How can I bring myself within the law?

If a person voluntarily attends at a police station or Firearms Branch to apply for a licence or permit under the Firearms Act or to surrender a firearm to bring themselves within the law, police will endeavour to facilitate compliance with the law without recourse to legal action.

A person who voluntarily comes forward is one who does so of their own free will (not prompted by contact from the Police, e.g. telephone call to attend Police Station re a firearms licence enquiry.)

Where an enquiry reveals that the firearm concerned is the subject of another offence, e.g. Larceny, Assault, Robbery etc., this policy will not apply.

The primary thrust of Firearms Control is to ensure that all persons within the State who possess firearms have an appropriate licence and the firearms are registered. 

In this respect Police will treat such matters in a similar manner to those in a Firearms Amnesty.