New South Wales Consolidated Acts

FIREARMS ACT 1996 - SECT 31

31 Permits to acquire firearms

(cf APMC 7)

(1) A person who is the holder of a licence or permit may apply to the Commissioner for a permit to acquire a firearm.

(2) A separate permit to acquire is required in respect of each firearm to be acquired by the holder of a licence or permit.

(3) The Commissioner must not issue a permit authorising a person to acquire a firearm--

(a) unless the person is the holder of a licence or permit authorising the person to use or possess the firearm concerned, and

(c) unless the Commissioner is satisfied that the applicant has a good reason for acquiring the firearm concerned.

(3A) Without limiting subsection (3), the Commissioner must not issue a permit authorising a person who is the holder of a category H (sport/target shooting) licence (including a probationary pistol licence) to acquire a pistol unless the application for the permit is supported by a written statement by the secretary or other relevant office holder of the pistol shooting club in respect of which the person's genuine reason for having the licence has been established--

(a) confirming that the person has adequate storage arrangements (as specified under this Act) in relation to the safe keeping of the pistol, and

(b) specifying the shooting activities for which the pistol is required.

(3B) In the case of a person who is the holder of a probationary pistol licence, and without limiting subsections (3) and (3A), the Commissioner--

(a) during the initial probationary period referred to in section 16A (2)--must not issue a permit authorising the person to acquire any kind of pistol, and

(b) during the remainder of the term of the licence--may only issue a total of 2 permits authorising the person to acquire no more than 2 pistols, any one of which (subject to subsection (3C)) is--

(i) a centrefire pistol, or

(ii) a rimfire pistol with a calibre of no more than .22 inch, or

(iii) an air pistol with a calibre of no more than .177 inch, or

(iv) a black powder pistol.

(3C) However, nothing in subsection (3B) (b) authorises the holder of a probationary pistol licence to possess a centrefire pistol and a rimfire pistol at the same time.

(5) Unless sooner revoked by the Commissioner, a permit to acquire a firearm remains in force from the time it is issued for a period of 90 days (or such longer period as may be approved by the Commissioner in a particular case) or until the firearm to which the permit relates is acquired (whichever is the sooner).

Note--: Section 50 provides that a licensed firearms dealer does not need to obtain a permit under this section when buying a firearm.