by DarkStar, DC Clothesline:

As an Australian firearms owner, in this age of global 24/7 news I constantly get to see how in the US news Gun Control proponents will constantly point to Australia as an example of the success of gun control and effective policy, whilst not having the slightest understanding of what our laws do, the consequences of gun control on Australians which leaves firearm owners effectively as second-class citizens. To aide those in the US (and anywhere else where firearms ownership is being increasingly politicised), I’ve collated some information as an actual firearms owner of what it’s like to live under the Australia Gun Control regime so you can arm yourself with facts the next time Australia is used as a shining beacon of firearms control success.

What exactly are gun laws in Australia

I’m not going to go into every single component of the laws, but here’s a rundown of the primary features of Gun Control in Australia.

Similar to the United States, firearms laws are set at the State level, with an additional layer of laws at the Federal level. With the States in Australia generally working closely together, there is only a small range of differences in laws between States, compared to the US.

To own any firearm in Australia you are required to apply for a firearms licence. Licences are broken up into several classes which you can qualify (each State has slightly different variations for names/categories), which are segmented into types of firearms – rimfire, centrefire, semi-automatic/pump action shotguns etc. A separate and more onerous class of licence is required for pistols which requires proof of ongoing membership within clubs, attendance of events and restrictions on the number of calibres of pistols owned at a time.

The application process is intentionally drawn out, with paperwork taking several months to be ‘processed’ (read: sit in a tray indefinitely). Should you pass the relevant background checks, training courses complete and fees paid, you can then apply to buy your first firearm. Each firearm purchase also requires approval and registration with the police – with the owner having to provide a justification of why they need to own the firearm. (and no, self-defence is explicitly noted as not a legal justification) You will be restricted with your options for firearms depending on what State you live in, with huge restrictions and effective bans for most of the population on many types of firearms including semi-automatics, automatic rifles, pump action shotguns, smaller framed pistols and a wide range individual firearms which the police have classified as unacceptable. (the common theme being anything scary looking, but can also include such benign things as many types of air rifles and even many children’s toys)

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