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Wife has possible job offer in Melbourne.

Boomboy007

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2010
Messages
227
Location
Bellingham, WA, USA
As some of you here know, I am Avery vocal and active proponent of gun liberty in general, and open carry in particular. Not only do I carry on a daily basis, but I assist with local outreach events.

My wife has a possible job offer in Melbourne, Australia. We would be there for possibly 5 years. I was just wondering what rights I might have, and how difficult it would be to acquire legal firearms. I am guessing that carrying a gun, even concealed, is probably impossible. Doesn't seem to stop the criminals, but there you have it.

I really like the Aussies that I have met in my travels, and would welcome a chance to experience their country. That said, I really hate feeling disarmed. Any locals around?
 

Grapeshot

Legendary Warrior
Joined
May 21, 2006
Messages
35,317
Location
Valhalla
They can visit here in the USA where the will be greeted warmly.

I will NOT go there and suffer my safety to the politicos. Nope - not gonna happen.
 

OC for ME

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2010
Messages
12,452
Location
White Oak Plantation

Firearms Iinstuctor

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2011
Messages
3,428
Location
northern wis
My brother was in Australian last year for a few months and wrote a series of articles on the gun culture there you will find interesting. He has applied for a firearms license but the officials are sitting on his application.

He is there now for another couple months and more information is forth coming I am sure

I only link a few of the articles there is more at gunwatch.

http://gunwatch.blogspot.com/2017/07/australian-gun-culture-part-9.html

http://gunwatch.blogspot.com/2017/10/australian-gun-culture-end-of-2017.html

http://gunwatch.blogspot.com/2017/07/australia-gun-ownership-increases-in.html
 
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echofiveniner

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 7, 2018
Messages
49
Location
Texas
It's a shame whats become of Australian gun laws, it really is a beautfiul country. From what I understand The licensing costs almost 300 dollars, you have to have an inspection for your home and gun safe, and they can also reinspect your gun safe while you hold the permit. It really is a crazy and freedom hating system.
 

OC Freedom

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 20, 2014
Messages
646
Location
ADA County, ID
They can visit here in the USA where the will be greeted warmly.

I will NOT go there and suffer my safety to the politicos. Nope - not gonna happen.

+1 My wife and I will not go anywhere we can't carry a firearm. The day you don't have it will be the day when the S#*! hits the fan. We have past up Job opportunities in the past that were in anti-carry states, no regrets.
 

phil1979

Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2011
Messages
91
Location
Atlanta, GA
I'll have to concur with others that I will not go anywhere I can't carry my firearm in public. That rules out even several states here in my own country, much less others.

And as a foreigner in Australia, you'd probably be prohibited from even keeping a single shot rifle or shotgun at home. And if they did allow it, the gun and ammo would have to be locked in separate safes at all times. Fail that unannounced inspection and plan to spend a few years behind bars or pay a heavy fine and get kicked out.

No way, no how would I ever set foot on Australian sheepdom soil.

You're the man. She goes where you go, not the other way around.
 
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DW98

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2013
Messages
274
Location
Australia
Melbourne resident and gun owner here.

As you guessed, there's absolutely no chance you can carry a gun, open or concealed. Same goes for knives (unless work-related), pepper spray and tasers (both are illegal to possess & carry). In short, you can't carry anything for the purposes of self-defence.

In regards to owning for owning firearms, I believe you need at least permanent residency status to be eligible. I'd recommend emailing or calling the Victoria Police Firearms Branch for more information.

If you manage to get a license, you'll need a safe weighing 150 kg or more (if not it has to be bolted to the floor) that the police will inspect. All guns have to be unloaded and locked away when not in use, with the ammunition separate. If your wife doesn't have a firearms license then she can't legally have any access to the safe. Semi-automatic rifles and pump-action and semi-automatic shotguns are more-or-less banned for the average shooter. There are exemptions if you're a farmer or professional pest controller, but I'm guessing that won't apply to you. Handguns are legal but strictly controlled. Victoria has probably the most onerous handgun laws in the country and it can take up to a year before you're granted a 'provisional handgun license'. In that period you cannot own your own handgun and have to use club firearms. After your provisional license is granted you can only own one handgun for the first six months before you're eligible to qualify for a full handgun license; after that I don't believe there's a limit to how many you can own, however, you'll be required to attend at least 10 competition shoots at the range per year to keep your license. Magazines are restricted to 10 rounds and calibers generally can't exceed .38/9mm. You're also not allowed to use your pistol anywhere outside of the range. I should also add that self-defence is not a 'genuine reason' to own a gun anywhere in Australia.

If you have any more questions I'd be happy to answer them the best I can.
 
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color of law

Accomplished Advocate
Joined
Oct 7, 2007
Messages
5,936
Location
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Melbourne resident and gun owner here.

As you guessed, there's absolutely no chance you can carry a gun, open or concealed. Same goes for knives (unless work-related), pepper spray and tasers (both are illegal to possess & carry). In short, you can't carry anything for the purposes of self-defence.

In regards to owning for owning firearms, I believe you need at least permanent residency status to be eligible. I'd recommend emailing or calling the Victoria Police Firearms Branch for more information.

If you manage to get a license, you'll need a safe weighing 150 kg or more (if not it has to be bolted to the floor) that the police will inspect. All guns have to be unloaded and locked away when not in use, with the ammunition separate. If your wife doesn't have a firearms license then she can't legally have any access to the safe. Semi-automatic rifles and pump-action and semi-automatic shotguns are more-or-less banned for the average shooter. There are exemptions if you're a farmer or professional pest controller, but I'm guessing that won't apply to you. Handguns are legal but strictly controlled. Victoria has probably the most onerous handgun laws in the country and it can take up to a year before you're granted a 'provisional handgun license'. In that period you cannot own your own handgun and have to use club firearms. After your provisional license is granted you can only own one handgun for the first six months before you're eligible to qualify for a full handgun license; after that I don't believe there's a limit to how many you can own, however, you'll be required to attend at least 10 competition shoots at the range per year to keep your license. Magazines are restricted to 10 rounds and calibers generally can't exceed .38/9mm. You're also not allowed to use your pistol anywhere outside of the range. I should also add that self-defence is not a 'genuine reason' to own a gun anywhere in Australia.

If you have any more questions I'd be happy to answer them the best I can.
Glad to hear from a person who lives in such a safe society.
 

color of law

Accomplished Advocate
Joined
Oct 7, 2007
Messages
5,936
Location
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Good grief. I'm having a very hard time understanding why anyone would want to live there. But Oh well...

Just remember that there is lots of room left here in Wyoming. And none of this insane bs...
From Wyoming, then I hope you support senator Anthony Bouchard representing the sixth district.
 

Firearms Iinstuctor

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2011
Messages
3,428
Location
northern wis
Good grief. I'm having a very hard time understanding why anyone would want to live there. But Oh well...

Just remember that there is lots of room left here in Wyoming. And none of this insane bs...


Australia has a huge amount of open spaces tons and tons of critters to shoot way more then Wyoming, mostly great weather a relatively crime free society.

My brother say it reminds him of the US in the 50's.

But for their unfortunate gun laws it would be a great place to live.

Even then people do own firearms and if your connected the hunting can be fantastic.
 

Grapeshot

Legendary Warrior
Joined
May 21, 2006
Messages
35,317
Location
Valhalla
Australia has a huge amount of open spaces tons and tons of critters to shoot way more then Wyoming, mostly great weather a relatively crime free society.

My brother say it reminds him of the US in the 50's.

But for their unfortunate gun laws it would be a great place to live.

Even then people do own firearms and if your connected the hunting can be fantastic.
Special perks for special people.
 

OC Freedom

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 20, 2014
Messages
646
Location
ADA County, ID
Melbourne resident and gun owner here.

As you guessed, there's absolutely no chance you can carry a gun, open or concealed. Same goes for knives (unless work-related), pepper spray and tasers (both are illegal to possess & carry). In short, you can't carry anything for the purposes of self-defence.

In regards to owning for owning firearms, I believe you need at least permanent residency status to be eligible. I'd recommend emailing or calling the Victoria Police Firearms Branch for more information.

If you manage to get a license, you'll need a safe weighing 150 kg or more (if not it has to be bolted to the floor) that the police will inspect. All guns have to be unloaded and locked away when not in use, with the ammunition separate. If your wife doesn't have a firearms license then she can't legally have any access to the safe. Semi-automatic rifles and pump-action and semi-automatic shotguns are more-or-less banned for the average shooter. There are exemptions if you're a farmer or professional pest controller, but I'm guessing that won't apply to you. Handguns are legal but strictly controlled. Victoria has probably the most onerous handgun laws in the country and it can take up to a year before you're granted a 'provisional handgun license'. In that period you cannot own your own handgun and have to use club firearms. After your provisional license is granted you can only own one handgun for the first six months before you're eligible to qualify for a full handgun license; after that I don't believe there's a limit to how many you can own, however, you'll be required to attend at least 10 competition shoots at the range per year to keep your license. Magazines are restricted to 10 rounds and calibers generally can't exceed .38/9mm. You're also not allowed to use your pistol anywhere outside of the range. I should also add that self-defence is not a 'genuine reason' to own a gun anywhere in Australia.

If you have any more questions I'd be happy to answer them the best I can.


I have a question for you. It has to do with Steve Lee and his gun collection. Has the Aussie Government collected his handgun collection? Did he turn them in? From some comments I heard him say he seemed to be a "it's okay for me, but not for you" type of guy. Genuinely curious.


Still enjoy the video.

[video=youtube;-TC2xTCb_GU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TC2xTCb_GU[/video]
 

phil1979

Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2011
Messages
91
Location
Atlanta, GA
In the first part of the video, the only semi-auto pistols I saw looked like .22cal. And I saw no semi-auto long guns.

In the second part of the video, it looks like a location change - perhaps an approved range where he could fire the forbidden toys when he visited there?

Shame he can't own (and carry in public) what he wants if he likes guns so much.


I have a question for you. It has to do with Steve Lee and his gun collection. Has the Aussie Government collected his handgun collection? Did he turn them in? From some comments I heard him say he seemed to be a "it's okay for me, but not for you" type of guy. Genuinely curious.


Still enjoy the video.

[video=youtube;-TC2xTCb_GU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TC2xTCb_GU[/video]
 

DW98

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2013
Messages
274
Location
Australia
I have a question for you. It has to do with Steve Lee and his gun collection. Has the Aussie Government collected his handgun collection? Did he turn them in? From some comments I heard him say he seemed to be a "it's okay for me, but not for you" type of guy. Genuinely curious.

If I remember correctly, his licenses were suspended for a short period of time, but they were reinstated and he kept all his guns.

This video was part of the reason for the suspension, I believe.

[video=youtube;3f7ENRikUqE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3f7ENRikUqE[/video]
 
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