Latest News

The Queensland Police Service Weapons Licensing Branch (WLB) is being accused of misleading the Police Minister’s office, amid a change in behaviour which has seen licensed shooters applying for Permits to Acquire a rifle suddenly being asked to provide information which has otherwise not been requested for nearly three decades. Shooters Union Australia has been… Read more: Queensland Police Service Weapons Licencing Branch accused of misleading Police Ministers Office.

A message from Graham Park, President of Shooters Union Australia For years now, law-abiding firearm owners have been under constant pressure from police bureaucrats and anti-gun crusaders who simply don’t understand our community. But now it’s gone to another level. The Federal Government is using its proposed National Firearms Register to pressure states – offering… Read more: The fight to protect responsible shooters is on

We have credible information that the Queensland Police Service Weapons Licensing Branch (WLB) is planning to restrict “large calibre” rifles, despite not having any legislative basis for doing so. Members have reported for some time receiving “Please explain” letters whenever they lodged PTAs for rifles in the .338 Lapua Magnum calibre, with WLB citing concern… Read more: Queensland WLB Restricting Large Rifle Calibres by Stealth

Following the passage of the Queensland Community Safety Act, we have had a lot of our Queensland-based members get in touch to say they’ve been told they cannot carry a knife in Queensland at all.  This is not correct, and we have put together advice for our members on when you can legally carry a… Read more: Queensland Knife Laws Explained

Disappointing but not entirely unexpected news from the WA election on March 8, with the gun-hating ALP re-elected by a massive margin; it took the ABC a little over two hours to call the results based on expert analysis from the highly respected Anthony Green. There are some small highlights for shooters, however – WA… Read more: Western Australia won by ALP, but with a reduced margin thanks to Shooters

We’ve had recent reports of NSW shooters running into issues after using a healthcare or DVA card to get a discount on their licence application or renewal fees. These issues have included the applicant needing to supply medical reports regarding their suitability to hold a firearms licence, based on nothing more than the fact they… Read more: NSW Shooters reminded not to use health care cards for licence discounts

MEDIA RELEASE Shooters Union has been advised journalists from the Courier-Mail have contacted at least one Queensland firearms dealer asking for comment regarding statistics provided to the newspaper by Weapons Licensing regarding firearm seizures and firearm thefts. We understand the information does not take into account firearms seized due to administrative issues such as someone moving… Read more: Shooters Union Condemns Misleading Firearm Statistics as Part of Anti-Gun Agenda

There is a lot of confusion around Queensland’s knife laws, and we are often asked about when it is lawful to carry a knife in public in Queensland. We have obtained advice on the issue, and while it is a complex situation, we can offer the following overview: GENERAL RULES Broadly speaking, it is illegal… Read more: Queensland’s New Knife Laws: Learn EVERYTHING you need to know.

Shooters Union Queensland representatives, alongside representatives from the Firearms Dealers Association of Queensland (FDAQ) met with three Ministers from the new Queensland LNP Government earlier this month.  As part of the meeting with Agriculture Minister Tony Perrett, Police Minister Dan Purdie and Customer Services Minister Steve Minikin, intended to reset the relationship between the responsible… Read more: Shooters Union QLD meets with new Government Ministers

Shooters Union Western Australia helped organise and run the very successful WA Gun Rally earlier this month. A large crowd of people attended the event held in the Supreme Court Gardens in Perth on Saturday, February 8th, to hear about the threats facing responsible firearms users in the state and how WA firearms users can… Read more: WA Gun Rally a great success

Our Tasmanian president Phillip Bigg is supporting proposals by the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party (SFFP) of Tasmania to deal with the state’s out-of-control rabbit population by encouraging people to hunt, shoot and cook these pest game animals. SFFP is calling for more effective control of rabbits in the state, with reports rabbits are now… Read more: SU’s Tasmanian Branch works to put rabbit back on the menu.

Our South Australian president Peter Heggie has made numerous attempts to meet with Ministers from the Labor Government in the State regarding matters affecting the shooting community, only to be fobbed off to departmental Chiefs of Staff instead of the actual Minister. Peter needs to discuss issues including range rules, PTA delays, and unacceptably slow… Read more: South Australian Labor Ministers Continue to Avoid SU’s SA President

You may recall the Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum in NSW was broken into last year, and has been closed since then while expensive security upgrades are undertaken. The Museum is one of the most important firearms and manufacturing heritage sites in the entire country; its products have equipped our soldiers ever since WWI and… Read more: The Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum Needs Your Help

The Queensland Police Service have announced the launch of Operation Whiskey Firestorm, described as “a high-impact statewide initiative designed to tackle the critical issue of firearm safety.” QPS have said that as part of this, they will be “conducting extensive audits, coordinating regional operations, and working with licensed firearm owners to ensure they meet safety and… Read more: Queensland Police Launch Operation Whisky Firestorm

Based on recent press releases from other firearms user groups in Western Australia, and statements made in podcasts etc, it is clear there are some misconceptions in some circles about the upcoming rally being organised in supportof shooters. Shooters Union Australia is a national body, like other major user groups. Therefore, we have individual branches… Read more: Clarification regarding WA Gun Rally

We are proud to introduce our new shooter ethos: “Keep Standing” It’s pretty clear that when the 1996 laws were introduced, the authorities expected shooters to give up and hand in their licences, with attrition taking care of everyone else over the next few years.  Even the licensing and registration systems were set up on… Read more: Keep Standing

Shooters Union is one of the organisers of the WA Gun Rally, taking place at the Supreme Court Gardens in Perth on February 8, 2025 from 10.30am The rally is part of our opposition to the draconian firearms laws in Western Australia, and will involve speakers from firearms groups including Shooters Union, as well as… Read more: WA Gun Rally – 8th February 2025, Perth

Good news out of Tasmania – thanks to the work of several shooting and hunting groups (including Shooters,Fishers and Farmers Party of Tasmania, Field & Game Australia, the Australian Deer Association, and ourselves!), the state has reversed its recently implemented ban on recognising interstate firearms licences for hunters.  As of January 13th, interstate Category A&B… Read more: Tasmania reverses ban on interstate hunter firearm licence recognition

Phase 1 of The Gunnery Shooting Complex – officially affiliated with Shooters Union – is now complete. The complex at Lameroo (about two hours east of Adelaide) features distances ranging from 50m to 1800m, plus 12 large (approx. 20m x 20m) pistol bays, most offering a 270-degree range of fire.  This facility is now one… Read more: The Gunnery Shooting Complex in South Australia NOW open

Regrettably, the organiser of the Brisbane Firearms Expo (scheduled for May 24-25 and which we were sponsoring) has advised they have been forced to cancel the event; Exhibitors will be fully refunded.

The Sporting Shooters Association of New Zealand (totally unrelated to the organisation in Australia) has put out an excellent media release cautioning against NZ adopting Australia’s gun laws and highlighting the many flaws of Australia’s firearms licensing and registration system: We’re very glad to see some well-informed commentary from our cousins across the ditch –… Read more: New Zealand Sporting Shooter Association cautions against adopting Australia’s gun laws

The Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum is an integral part of Australia’s industrial, military, and firearms history and heritage, and is at risk of closure following a break-in earlier this year. According to the LSAFM, site owner Thales have reneged on a deal to sell the museum buildings to LSAFM for a nominal sum, and… Read more: NSW Residents: Please sign the petition to save the Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum

The proposed secure storage requirements for gun owners in WA have been released, and are going to be difficult, if not impossible, for many shooters to comply with. Rifle and shotgun owners will eventually have to buy safes with 3mm sides and 6mm doors, while pistol owners will need to buy safes with 6mm sides… Read more: WA Secure Storage Requirements

The Queensland State Election on October 27 has ousted the long-serving ALP Government, replacing it with an LNP Government under the leadership of Premier David Crisafulli. Shooters will be pleased to know that pro-firearms MPs from the KAP party Robbie Katter (Traeger), Nick Dametto (Hinchinbrook) and Shane Knuth (Hill) have all been re-elected. Unfortunately, Mirani… Read more: Queensland Elects LNP Government, 3 KAP MPs

Shooters Union is delighted to welcome Phillip Bigg as our new president of Shooters Union Tasmania. Phillip is a keen shooter and hunter, and extremely active in the political sphere in Tasmania. He has hit the ground running, and is already tackling several serious issues facing gun owners in Tasmania – in particular reforms to… Read more: New President for Shooters Union Tasmania

As part of its ongoing war on shooters, the WA Government has announced limits on the number of shooter authorisations any given property can issue at a given time, with properties over 15,000 acres being capped at 15 and smaller properties having progressively smaller numbers – properties up to 1,500 acres can support five property… Read more: WA Government Introduces Property Authorisation Restrictions

Following the WA Government’s recent PR stunt involving guns handed in during the first “buyback” being destroyed by explosion (and PR photos of surrendered guns or guns arriving at the crushers), we got in touch to ask if historic or collectible firearms – a number of which were identified by our Collector’s Branch president via… Read more: WA Pol confirms historic firearms set aside during first “buyback”

Exciting News for Shooters Union Members! After facing several delays, including a 12 week holdup due to SAPOL, the Shooters Union-affiliated shooting range near Lameroo (approximately 2.5 hours east of Adelaide) built by the renowned gun store The Gunnery, is finally ready to go! This facility has now been officially approved, and shooting will commence… Read more: South Australia Range Update

Pre-polling in the Queensland State Election is now open – Polling Day itself is October 24th Our president, Graham Park, shares some important thoughts on this election and the opportunities it presents for shooters. Remember: Your vote matters, so use it wisely

The Queensland State Election is set for Saturday, October 26th. It is vitally important you ensure your electoral roll details are up to date – you can check them here:  Every election we’re asked, how should I vote “pro-gun”?  Our voting advice to members is: Vote for a pro-gun party (such as KAP) or independent… Read more: Pro-gun voting advice for 2024 Queensland Election

There is an election in Queensland on Saturday, October 26th and as in previous years, we are supporting Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) in their efforts to not only get their existing MPs re-elected, but add some new MPs to their Parliamentary presence. KAP are openly supportive of law-abiding firearms users and have gone into bat… Read more: Katter’s Australian Party supports Shooters!

Shooters Union Australia representatives, including vice-president David Brown, flew to Townsville recently to attend the official launch of the Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) 2024 campaign. As well as kicking off the campaign, the event also introduced four new KAP candidates for North Queensland seats – Reuben Richardson for the seat of Thuringowa, Michael Pugh for… Read more: Shooters Union Attends KAP 2024 Campaign Launch

Queensland shooters achieved a critical last-minute concession in the Queensland Community Safety Bill 2024, with the Police Minister agreeing to a significant change before the Bill was passed on August 22nd. As a direct result of our lobbying and the pressure applied by you, our members and supporters, offences where no conviction is recorded will… Read more: People Power forces important change to Queensland Community Safety Bill

Access to NSW’s vast State Forests and National Parks is increasingly under threat from “lock it up and leave it” politics. This means shooters have fewer places to hunt, 4WDers have fewer places to explore, campers have fewer places to camp, and fishers have fewer places to cast a line. We’re concerned about this, and… Read more: NSW State Forest & National Park Access Petition Underway

Shooters Union, along with SIFA and other industry representative groups, have been involved in consultation with WorkSafe NSW, who are responsible for regulating explosives in the state. We are delighted to confirm there will be no changes to the limits on the quantities of reloading propellant powder which can be stored at a private address… Read more: No changes to reloading propellant limits in NSW

One of the benefits of Shooters Union membership is access to basic legal support and referrals onto specialist solicitors. Since January 1, 2024 our legal triage team (who are the first point of contact for members requesting assistance on firearm-related legal matters) have: If you need help with a firearm-related legal issue, our legal triage… Read more: Legal Assistance Update

One of Australia’s peak firearms organisations continues to question the narrative around Western Australia’s firearms law changes as the State Government reminds people its inadequate “buyback” will finish at the end of the month. Recent changes to the state’s gun laws, rammed through Parliament by the Cook Government despite opposition from more than 32,000 Western… Read more: Shooters Union Continues to Question Western Australia Guns Narrative

Members of the SU NSW committee had the pleasure of visiting the modern Lithgow Arms factory recently, being treated to a guided tour of the facilities and getting some insights into the company’s internationally successful products. Originally best known for being a military arsenal manufacturing SMLE Mk III rifles during WWI and WWII, the factory… Read more: SUNSW visit Lithgow Factory 2024

The Queensland Labor Party-controlled Community Safety and Legal Affairs Committee has today (Friday, August 2nd, 2024) tabled its report on the Queensland Community Safety Bill 2024. You can read the Committee’s report here: The Bill will seriously impact licensed firearm holders in Queensland – along with many other people, including potentially you and your family.… Read more: Controversial and flawed Queensland Community Safety Bill Report tabled by Parliamentary Committee WITHOUT changes

Australia’s newest shooting range is undergoing approvals in South Australia, with an anticipated Stage One opening in September. The Gunnery Shooting Complex at Lameroo (about two hours’ drive east of Adelaide) will be the largest range in South Australia when is completed and Stage One – which had its final SAPOL inspection earlier this month… Read more: New Range on Track for South Australia

Great news from NSW – Shooters Union NSW have been approved to join the NSW Firearms Classification Working Party (FCWP)! The FCWP is working with NSW Police  in undertaking a comprehensive review, development, and implementation of an updated NSW firearms classification framework. As our NSW president explains, “It’s a good concept and will allow us… Read more: SU NSW Join NSW Firearms Classification Working Party

Following recent rumours online that Queensland Police Weapons Licensing Branch were removing the “RE1” Licence Code which enabled shooting club members to shoot recreationally on rural land, Shooters Union attended a meeting with WLB to straighten out the matter. WLB have confirmed there are currently no changes to the licence system or codes, and that… Read more: WLB confirm no changes to licence codes

WA’s Firearms Act 2024 has received the Royal Assent from State Governor Chris Dawson, with parts of it now in effect and the remainder expected to be in operation by March 2025. At this stage the Regulations which will govern how the laws will actually function have not been made available to either shooting organisations… Read more: WA Gun Laws receive Royal Assent

We’ve repeatedly shared our concerns over the Queensland Community Safety Bill 2024, which is being pushed by the ALP Government and will have serious repercussions for law-abiding firearms users if it passes in its current form. We’ve had it confirmed that under the proposed Bill, a person who is disqualified from having a firearms licence will… Read more: Rural Jobs Threatened by Community “Safety” Bill

We are delighted to welcome Mark Costello as our new National Chairman, replacing the recently retired Ross Grantham. Mark is a former soldier in the Australian Army who has been involved in recreational and target shooting since a young age as well as working and volunteering in various roles in the Australian firearms industry. He… Read more: Shooters Union welcomes new Board Chairman

Our fight against the civil liberties nightmare of the Queensland Community Safety Bill 2024 continues in earnest, and has included a formal submission to the Community Safety and Legal Affairs Committee, an in-person appearance in front of that same committee, and a full-page ad in the Courier-Mail – not to mention the countless e-mails and… Read more: The fight continues against the Queensland Community Safety Bill

South Australia’s newest shooting range, located at Kulkami (about two hours East of Adelaide) is nearing completion and awaiting final approvals from SA Police. The range has been a passion project of SU South Australia president and owner of The Gunnery Peter Heggie, and will be the largest range in the entire state when it… Read more: New Shooting Range on Track for South Australia

Following extensive work by shooting representatives including SIFA, NT Field & Game, Coolalinga Guns & Ammo, and former senator Nigel Scullion, the NT Police Commissioner has confirmed he will issue an exemption to the Territory’s firearms legislation allowing interstate licence holders to purchase ammunition while in the NT for hunting or competition shooting events. Adding… Read more: Northern Territory Police Commissioner Issues Interstate Licence Ammo Purchase Exemptions

Western Australia’s Upper House has passed the Firearms Bill 2024 after (as expected) the ALP used its supermajority to ram the legislation through ahead of the winter break. The laws include firearm limits of 10 guns maximum per person, automatic loss of firearms and licence following a Domestic Violence accusation, and compulsory mental health checks… Read more: Western Australia passes the most anti-gun laws in Australia

A reminder to all our QLD Pistol Club members: Your mandatory participation shoots must be completed by June 30. You can find the requirements here: https://www.police.qld.gov.au/weapon-licensing/concealable-firearms-class-and-participation-requirements As we do not own any ranges ourselves you will need to make arrangements with a local pistol range to shoot there – please be sure to call them… Read more: Queensland Pistol Participation Shoots must be completed by June 30

Western Australia is hurtling towards a democratic crisis following revelations the Western Australia Police (WAPOL) are enforcing laws that do not legally exist and the State Parliament has ignored the largest e-petition in Western Australia’s history, according to one of the country’s largest firearm user representative organisations. Shooters Union Australia members are among those reeling… Read more: Shooters Union Question Democracy Status in Western Australia

The Queensland Community Safety Bill 2024 closes for submission on Thursday May 16 at 10am.  There are a lot of issues in this Bill, and we have spoken out against them in our submission, which you can read here. For more information on the Bill or making a submission of your own, please visit: https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-Committees/Committees/Committee-Details?cid=0&id=4413

The Queensland Community Safety Bill 2024 is open for public consultation until May 16, and there are a number of things in it which affect shooters in particular. The major areas of concern in the bill as a firearms owner relate to changes in the Fit & ProperPerson criteria and the issuance of Firearms Prohibition… Read more: How to make a submission against the QLD Community Safety Bill 2024

PLEASE SHARE THIS WITH EVERY PERSON YOU KNOW IN QUEENSLAND – IT AFFECTS THEM TOO Quick Links: People to contact: About the Bill The Queensland Community Safety Bill 2024 amends at least 12 different Acts, including the Weapons Act, the Explosives Act, the Criminal Code and the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act. The Labor Government are trying to rush through legislation… Read more: URGENT! CONSULTATION OPEN ON QLD COMMUNITY SAFETY BILL 2024

The Federal Government recently announced $160m in funding for a Federal Firearms Register as part of an ongoing “wanting to be seen to be doing something about a non-issue and creating good soundbites in the process” approach to government. The Commonwealth Attorney General, Mark Dreyfus, has announced next month’s Federal budget will include $161.3m over… Read more: Federal Firearms Register: An Obscene Money Waste

After many years of service, our Queensland Pistol Captain, Ross Grantham, has stepped down for the role to focus on work and family commitments. We are immensely grateful for the considerable amount of work and support Ross has provided over the years and will miss him greatly. We are delighted to announce Leisa Brown has… Read more: New QLD Pistol Captain

Our hard-working membership officer Lori Grantham has also decided to step back from her role after many years in the position. We thank her greatly for her work over the years, which has been invaluable, and wish her well for her next adventure. We are pleased to announce that Sarah Arthur has taken over the… Read more: New Membership Officer

Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) has introduced a Bill to Queensland Parliament which would establish Castle Doctrine in the state, essentially allowing a property’s resident(s) to use whatever force is appropriate to repel or defend against intruders. While the right to defend oneself and one’s property is already in the state Criminal Code, it is subject… Read more: KAP Introduce Castle Law in Queensland

SU NSW president has been meeting with the office of NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe to push for an expansion of hunting areas in the state, including in parts of some National Parks. While saying there were no plans to open National Parks to recreational hunting, Ms Sharpe did observe there were opportunities to cull… Read more: SUNSW meet with Environment Minister’s office

A petition to the Western Australian Parliament calling for (among other things) a full public inquiry into the Firearms Bill 2024 has become the most signed e-petition in the State’s history. The petition received 31,162 signatures, overtaking the previous record holder which was a petition calling for changes to the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021… Read more: WA Firearms Petition Breaks Records

The $160m earmarked for a Federal Firearms Register has been slammed as an “obscenity” by one of Australia’s peak sporting organisations, who are calling for the funding to be immediately redirected to healthcare and social services. The Commonwealth Attorney General, Mark Dreyfus, has announced next month’s Federal budget will include $161.3m over the next four… Read more: Shooters Union say National Firearms Register Funding “An Obscenity”

As of January 8th, it is illegal in Australia, under Federal legislation, to buy, sell, or trade in militaria (including hats, pouches, daggers, helmets, etc) or general antiques/collectibles/curios bearing the Nazi Swastika or SS Lightning Runes. We put in a formal Commonwealth Parliamentary submission opposing the ban and even appeared at the Committee Hearing in… Read more: Sale or Trade of Nazi Militaria is now illegal in Australia

Following a considerable amount of work from industry representatives including Shooters Union, SIFA, Nathan Ravenscroft, and James Ryder, we have secured an in-principle agreement from the Queensland Police Minister, Mark Ryan, that suppressors should not be Category R weapons, and should be available, at a minimum, to primary producers and feral pest controllers. While we… Read more: Queensland moves closer to allowing suppressors for primary producers

The Labor Government in Western Australia has introduced the Firearms Bill 2024 to parliament, retaining many (if not all) of hateful anti-gun owner elements proposed as part of its cursory “community consultation” process last year. As Sporting Shooter magazine explains, some of the more notable issues in the Bill include: The State Government is conducting… Read more: Western Australia Introduces Terrible Gun Laws

Renowned Australian gun writer, hunter and reloading expert Nick Harvey passed away on February 21 at the age of 92. Widely regarded as an expert on all things firearm and shooting related, he had a career spanning an astonishing seven decades, and was still writing new articles until a few weeks prior to his death.… Read more: Nick Harvey 1931-2024

Shooters Union Australia’s national president Graham Park was on Triple M WA’s Rural Focus show on Friday (Feb 16) discussing WA’s draconian new gun laws and its insulting “buyback” prices. Do give it a listen – and please share it with anyone you know in WA, regardless of whether or not they are interested in… Read more: WA New Firearm Laws are Draconian says Lobby Group

We have some amazing news for shooters in NSW – Shooters Union NSW is now an Approved Hunting Club (Approval No. 413021547) and therefore a Genuine Reason for a firearms licence in its own right! That means if you join Shooters Union NSW, you can use that membership to apply for a firearms licence –… Read more: Shooters Union is now an approved hunting club & a genuine reason in NSW

As of January 18, 2024, the Tasmanian Police Commissioner Donna Adams has revoked the exemption allowing pre-1901 muzzleloading and other antique firearms to be held without a licence or associated rigamarole. Effectively immediately, these have been declared to be “firearms” and are now required to be licensed, registered, and locked in a gun safe. THERE… Read more: ATTENTION: Tasmanian Collectors & Old Gun Enthusiasts

It would seem facts don’t matter if you’re pushing an approved agenda, if the Australian Press Council’s recent actions regarding a complaint we lodged are anything to go by. You may recall last month The Australian ran a 25+ article series called “Target On Guns”. Besides being a lot of stories to run on something… Read more: Australian Press Council Bins Our Complaint

As you’ve doubtless heard, the Federal Government is forging ahead with plans to establish a $200m+ (the actual figure seems to keep increasing) Federal firearms registry, which is theoretically expected to become operational sometime around 2028. We’ve said before and we’ve said again, the State firearm registries are an unreliable, inaccurate mess – and there’s… Read more: Federal Government to establish firearms registry

Shooters Union is regularly in the media, but this month may be some kind of record for us, thanks not only to The Australian running a campaign called “Target On Guns” which featured (at time of writing this newsletter) a mind-boggling 28 stories on firearms in Australia, but also the announcement of a Federal firearms… Read more: Shooters Union in record number of media appearances

Shooters Union Queensland President Graham Park has described today’s announcement that the Federal Government would spend hundreds of millions of dollars towards a national firearms registry as “tawdry political gameplaying at the expense of the taxpayer.” Mr Park said that today’s announcement was purely about politics and that it was “far too much of a coincidence” that… Read more: Shooters Slam Federal Firearms Registry Costs

If you believe what you have read over the past few days, you could be forgiven for thinking Australia has a gun problem. That is what you are meant to think, because if you feel nervous about guns then you might not look too deeply into what is really going on. The truth is that… Read more: Australia has a politics problem, not a gun problem

The Western Australian Government is completely rewriting its firearms laws and unless you’ve been living under a particularly remote rock, you’ll know that is terrible news for shooters. – the draft proposals can be found here: https://www.police.wa.gov.au/~/media/Assets/About-Us/Our-Agency/Firearms-Act-Reform/Final-Version–Firearms-Bill-2024–Consultation-Paper.pdf Shooters Union put together a formal submission in response to the WA Government’s tokenistic attempt at public consultation,… Read more: Western Australia Firearms Reform Submission

Over approximately the last two years our preferred lawyer in Queensland, David Neuendorf from Robert Bax & Associates, has had an initial and free consultation with approximately 280 individuals regarding weapons licensing matters. These free consultations are organised by the Shooters Union and include brief written and verbal advice to the client about prospects. Of… Read more: Legal Update

Adelaide-based gunshop The Gunnery, owned by our South Australian president Peter Heggie, has once again won the Best Speciality Business Award at the 2023 Onkaparinga Council Business Awards. The Gunnery won the award last year, and has a well-deserved reputation in the local shooting community for its excellent service.  Congratulations to Peter and the team… Read more: The Gunnery win Council Business Award

A few months ago, our Collector’s Branch made a submission to the Commonwealth Intelligence and Security Committee regarding the  Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Prohibited Hate Symbols and Other Measures) Bill 2023, which would ban the trade of anything with Nazi swastikas or SS Lightning Bolts on it. In addition to a thorough written submission saying we… Read more: Commonwealth Security & Intelligence Committee Recommends Trade In Nazi Symbol Items

We agree Western Australia’s firearm legislation is well overdue for reform. However, we believe the reforms being proposed are misguided, unnecessary, and are not being put forward in good faith. Many of the proposed reforms appear to us to be punitive. We also note the high-handed and primary producer-centric approach being touted by WA authorities… Read more: Submission on proposed reforms to WA Firearms Legislation

Western Australia’s Government is planning terrible new firearms laws, which will have absolutely ZERO impact on criminals BUT will have serious and unpleasant ramifications for every single law-abiding firearms user in the state. The details, if you’ve been living under a rock in the desert, are here: https://www.police.wa.gov.au/About-Us/Our-Agency/Police-Licensing-Services/Firearms-Licensing/Firearms-Act-Reform There are three issues we think are… Read more: Western Australia Members Call to Action

MEDIA RELEASE One of Australia’s largest shooter representative bodies says it has “Absolutely Zero” faith that Western Australia’s Government will pay any attention to consultation regarding its draconian new firearms laws. The Western Australian Government has released a draft Consultation Paper of its completely rewritten firearms laws, which contain a number of anti-law abiding firearm owner measures… Read more: Shooters have ‘Absolutely Zero’ faith in WA Gun Law Reform Consultations

Our disgust for WA’s upcoming cap on firearms numbers knows no bounds, and we are calling on every single shooter in WA – regardless of which organisation they belong to – to contact Premier Roger Cook, Police Minister Paul Papalia, and their local MP to tell them these restrictions are completely unacceptable and must be… Read more: WA about to implement draconian firearm laws

Back in August we contacted the NSW Firearms Registry (FAR) regarding our concerns over how DVA and disability pension cardholders applying for gun licences were being flagged for further action, typically involving mental health reports which would be expensive and/or difficult (if not effectively impossible) to provide. NSW FAR Commander Superintendent Cameron Lindsay has replied… Read more: Important information for NSW Shooters with a DVA & Disability Pension Cards

The latest report from Victoria’s Game Management Authority (GMA)’s 2023 report shows there are nearly 60,000 people in the state (59,682 to be precise) with a hunting licence, up considerably from a decade ago. The majority of those licences (48,038) are to hunt deer, with 22,193 licences to hunt ducks also being on issue. While… Read more: Hunter numbers increase in Victoria

We are disappointed to share the news the Dunmore Range project, which we have been supporting for some time, has been cancelled due to insurmountable issues outside the range developer’s control. The range, being developed on former ADF property near the Queensland town of Dunmore (west of Toowoomba) was going to provide benchrest positions for… Read more: Dunmore Range Project Cancelled

MEDIA RELEASE The case of a Tasmanian man facing firearms charges after calling police for help due to a family violence matter will have a chilling effect on people seeking assistance in future, one of the country’s peak shooting organisation bodies says. According to a story in The Examiner on Tuesday, well-regarded Launceston businessman Paul… Read more: Supressor charge will have chilling effect on help requests

The establishment of Shooters Union’s own Feral Management Queensland branch is well and truly underway! The team have secured feral management concessions for a number of properties in the greater Southeast of Queensland, far west and the north of the state. They have received endorsement from Local Government and are in the process of undertaking the necessary due diligence to identify… Read more: Establishment of the Feral Management Qld Branch

The Shooters Union Collector’s Branch has been invited to appear at the Public Hearing for the Commonwealth Government’s Review of the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Prohibited Hate Symbols and Other Measures) Bill 2023. The hearings will take place on September 1st in Canberra; our Collector’s Branch president Royce Wilson will be representing us. Our submission, which… Read more: Collectors Branch Invited to appear before Commonwealth Parliamentary Inquiry

Earlier this month we, along with our friends at the Firearms Dealers Association of Queensland met with the Shadow Police Minister, members of KAP, and various LNP MPs to discuss Queensland’s gun laws and the recently unmasked secret plot to make them worse for shooters. As part of our meeting, we also put forward several… Read more: Shooters Union Queensland meet with MPs for productive discussion of Shooter Issues

Our industry sources inform us the Sulun Tacsoras lever-release shotgun has been banned in NSW under the state’s ridiculous “appearance laws” – in this case, Schedule 1(7) of the Firearms Act, which bans shotguns that substantially resemble a military firearm. NSW FAR have apparently decreed the (formerly Category B) Tacsoras bears a substantial resemblance to… Read more: NSW bans Sulun Tacsoras lever-release shotgun under appearance laws

Western Australia Police have announced that, effective July 30, Australia Post is no longer an approved commercial carrier for firearms and significant components within WA. This means firearms or parts being sent to, from, or within Western Australia must go by a private courier on WAPOL’s Approved Commercial Carriers list. The Approved Commercial Carrier requirement… Read more: Australia Post no longer an approved carrier in WA

QUEENSLANDERS appealing Government decisions to the Queensland Civil Administration Tribunal (QCAT) are being denied natural justice following a spate of refusals to allow them legal representation hearings. Shooters Union Australia has confirmed some of its members are among those whom QCAT has denied permission to have legal representations in firearms licensing appeals, and the issue… Read more: QCAT denying Queenslanders natural justice

Why is it that the people who claim we have the best gun laws in the world (from an anti-gun perspective) are also the same people constantly wanting to change them and add new restrictions? How come literally no-one else, not even New Zealand or Canada, has adopted our “World Class” or “Gold Standard” gun… Read more: The Unpopular Minority: Why Firearm Owners are always the Bad Guys.

Weapons branch are now exercising muscle by issuing first and final notices for PTA’s on multiple firearm holders. Here’s what to do, and why. Quick action could put you in a better position to acquire.

We are absolutely appalled by recent media comments attributed to WAFarmers Chief Executive Trevor Whittington, where he was quoted in Farm Weekly on June 1 (https://www.farmweekly.com.au/story/8216938/lobby-group-takes-aim-at-rec-shooters/) as saying Western Australia Police Minister Paul Papalia needed to take a much harder stance on shooters to get firearm numbers in the state down – and in particular, banning the… Read more: Shooters Union calls for immediate resignation of WAFarmers Chief Executive

We have been advised via the WA Farmers Federation that the Labor Government in Western Australia proposes to implement a limit of five (5) guns for recreational shooters (hunters) and ten (10) for competition target shooters as part of their firearm laws overhaul. We understand that primary producer licences, corporate licences and collector licences will… Read more: WA actively considering firearm limits for licence holders

This year’s Victorian duck hunting season is the shortest on record, running from April 26 until May 30, with a bag limit of four ducks per hunter, per day. The Victorian Government is clearly ignoring the science regarding duck numbers and sustainable harvests in favour of political point scoring. Things are much more reasonable in… Read more: 2023 Victorian Duck Hunting Season the shortest on record

Weapons Licensing Branch (WLB) have informed us that they will no longer approve PTAs for not-yet-issued firearm licences. For some years the practice has been for shooters to lodge their licence application and first PTA at the same time, since it takes months for the licence to be issued anyway. That way the mandatory 28… Read more: Queensland Shooters: Effective Immediately – DO NOT APPLY FOR PTAS UNTIL YOUR LICENCE HAS BEEN ISSUED AND RECEIVED

Please find below a link to our submission to comment on the Public Consultation Paper on the proposed Firearms Register. Click here to download the report

On April 1st, there was a Firearms Symposium held in Perth by the “Western Australian Firearms Community Alliance (WAFCA)” and facilitated by SSAA WA. The event was spruiked as an assembly of the “major firearms user group representatives in WA”, with an e-mail update after the event describing it as “monumental ‘gathering of clans’”. A… Read more: Shooters Union Excluded from WA Firearms Symposium

The NSW State Election results for the Lower House are in, and there’s no real changes from a shooter perspective – although that may change depending on what the ALP Government under Chris Minns does. We’d like to extend our congratulations to openly pro-shooting Independent MPs Phil Donato (Orange) and Roy Butler (Barwon), along with… Read more: NSW Election on March 25