MEMBERSHIP
In order to participate in competition shooting, there are three things you need. These are:
[1] a firearms licence (obviously), and
[2] insurance which is absolutely mandatory, and
[3] affiliation with either the ACTA or VSCA if you wish to be graded in those competitions.
The Nepean Clay Target Club offers affiliation with the Australian Clay Target Association (ACTA). You cannot be affiliated with the ACTA without a club membership.
If you don’t wish to shoot competition however, you can obtain a club membership with the NCTC without affiliation to the ACTA. We call this a ‘club only membership’. Whilst this option is significantly cheaper, shooters will not be able to formally compete in ACTA sanctioned shoots (which covers almost every competitive shoot we hold). If you choose this path you can still shoot at all of our practice sessions though (ie. Thursdays) and you may also shoot in certain competitive shoots on a birds-only basis. This means you shoot with, but not against, the other competitors – it won’t cost you as much but you won’t be in the running for prizes either, nor will you get an ACTA grade.
You can also become a MCTC member for minimal cost if, and only if, you have your own insurance policy or hold a full membership (including insurance levy) with another shooting club. There’s neither need nor point in holding a full ACTA membership with two different clubs. However, if you want a say in how the NCTC is run, we’ll only listen to you if you’re a member.
Keep in mind too that many shooters who shoot at the Nepean Clay Target Club are not members of our club in any sense but instead hold full ACTA memberships with other clubs. This is accepted practice. If it were not you’d never be able to travel and compete in other clubs’ events which would effectively destroy the sport of clay target shooting in Australia.
Click here to download the NCTC / ACTA (Australian Clay Target Association) membership form
LICENSING
Obtaining a firearms licence can be a convoluted and time-intensive process if you go about it in the wrong way. This page intends to inform you about how to ease the process of obtaining a firearms licence. If you have any trouble filling in any of the forms, please bring them along to Thursday night practice at the club (4pm – 7pm) and we’ll happily give you a hand.
The whole process from Step 1 to Step 7 usually takes about two months AT THE LEAST.
Step 1: |
You’ll need to download the correct licence application form and fill it in. For clay target shooting it is generally easiest if you obtain a Class A longarms licence. If you require (or already have) a semi-automatic shotgun you will need a Class C longarms licence. You may download the aforementioned forms from the Victoria Police website by clicking on the following link: Victoria Police Firearm Licence Applications
If you’re a parent / guardian and require a licence to store your child’s firearm, you’ll need to get yourself a Category C licence. Your child will still need a junior’s licence. Both of the forms for these licences are available at the same link as shown above. Only children between the ages of twelve and eighteen (12–18) may obtain a junior’s licence. |
Step 2: |
At the same time as completing your Firearm Licence Application, you should also complete the Application for a Permit to acquire a Longarm form by clicking this link (the document is in the right-hand margin of the Victoria Police webpage). Only do this if you intend on purchasing a firearm in the near future. |
On the basis that you are able to satisfy all of the requirements in both of the forms in Steps 1 & 2, you should proceed with the following:
Step 3: |
If you do not have any other genuine reason for obtaining a firearm licence, you’ll need to become a member at your local clay target club. The membership forms for clay target clubs usually require you to enter your firearm licence number, however as you won’t have this as yet the club secretary will simply leave it blank. Don’t worry - this is normal procedure. |
Step 4: |
Complete the Longarms Safety Course which is run by the Victoria Police. There can be long waiting periods for this course so organise this as soon as possible (ie. during Step 1). You will need to contact a District Firearms Officer (DFO) to organise this. The nearest DFO to Mornington is Mr. Jeff Tempest at Frankston Police Station, or alternatively try Mr. Steve Forrest at Dandenong. If you’re willing to travel, the Flinders St police headquarters (Melbourne CBD) is probably the fastest and easiest course to get into. |
Step 5: |
Submit all of your forms. |
Step 6: |
Sit back and wait. Your application will sit for a minimum of 30 days on some public servant’s desk until they even bother to look at it. This is the cooling-off period which doesn’t need to be explained. On the basis that all goes well, you’ll receive your licence approval somewhere between 45-60 days after you submit the application. If you’re lucky, your permit to acquire a firearm will also come through at roughly the same time (which would have taken an additional 30 days otherwise).
NOTE: an approved Firearm Licence Application is NOT a licence - see Step 7. |
Step 7: |
You’ll need to head down to VicRoads (or another authorised office) WITHIN the specified timeframe to have your photo taken and obtain your licence. Whatever you do, DO NOT MISS this timeframe because if you do … it’s back to Step 1. |
Some commonly asked questions are answered below. If you have any others, please click on the blue Contact Us link at the top of this page.
Do I need to obtain a firearms licence or club membership if I only want to try the sport?
NO. If you only intend on trying the sport on our shooting grounds there’s no need for you to obtain either. You must however be accompanied by a licensed shooter whilst in control of a firearm. For insurance reasons, new shooters cannot shoot on our club grounds more than three times without having both a firearms licence and at least a club membership. See the blue Learn to Shoot button at the top of this page.
Are there other ‘Genuine Reasons’ which will allow me to get my licence?
YES. Whilst clay target shooting is one genuine reason for which you may need a firearm licence, there are other categories which accommodate those people who wish to, for example, go hunting or who are primary producers. These categories and their requirements are outlined quite clearly in the Firearm Licence Application forms.
Can I fill in my ‘Application for a Permit to acquire a Firearm’ form later on?
YES. The first time you apply to acquire a firearm there is a 30 day waiting period. This is why we suggest you submit this form with your licence application – so that both waiting periods burn off simultaneously. However if you wish to submit this form later on, you’re welcome to do so.
I already have a criminal record. Does this mean I can’t obtain a firearms licence?
NOT NECESSARILY. If you fit into this category it’d be best for you to ask the Police Firearms Licensing Division before you go wasting a bucket of your time with the licensing process. The Police will undertake a background check on you anyway which is a normal part of the licensing procedure. It’s for this reason that you should be honest and upfront when filling out the licence application form – lie to the Police and the chance of you getting your licence will be next to nil. Only some types of criminal records will exclude you from obtaining a licence – it’s at the discretion of the Police as to whether granting you a licence would be likely to pose a danger to the public.
Can I purchase / organise to purchase a firearm before I obtain my permit to acquire?
YES. Not having a permit to acquire a firearm simply means you cannot take possession of the firearm. If you wish to take the risk and pay for it before hand then do this at your own risk. You can still go to a gun shop or dealer, get yourself fitted up and have them hold the firearm until your permit comes through.
What are the storage requirements for my firearm(s)?
The storage requirements for firearms are outlined very clearly in the licence application forms (follow the link in Step 1).
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