Hello Blacktown Pistol Club Members,
In the wake of the Bondi incident, there are a number of changes being made to the PTA process as well as new firearm limits. We would like you to know that for many of you very little will change. The process is mostly the same, you still make your applications in the same way, you must still comply with the rules already in place. The major differences are to do with the number of guns you are allowed to own. In regards to hand guns, with the valid reason of sport shooting, you can own no more than 10 firearms. If you have an A, B licence and own long arm guns, additional limits may apply (more detail below). The number limit is already in place, so if you own 10 handguns you can not put in a PTA.
As an indirect result of the changes and Firearms Registry (FAR) scrambling to enforce them, PTA wait times are a lot longer than normal. If you do put in a PTA please make sure you have everything in order before you submit your application. If you are delayed because you don’t have your COPS number, it could mean your submission is rejected and FAR have advised they will not refund rejected or expired PTAs.
Whenever you submit a PTA always send us an email with the following:
- BPC Member number:
- Firearms Licence Number:
- Firearms Licence Expiry:
- COPS Event Number:
We ask you to send us this information because when a PTA comes to us for approval, FAR withhold all of your personal information and it can be hard to match you up with your application.
You should expect stricter enforcement going forward at least in the short term. This means that failure to meet your annual shoot requirements could lead to action from FAR where it hasn’t in the past. They are more likely to crack down on late renewals.
We are implementing our new scoring and membership system to make sure we keep up to date and make it easier for you when it comes to renewal time. You will soon have control of your own scores meaning we never lose or fail to enter a score for you.
If you do own more than 10 guns right now we have been informed that there will be no immediate seizure. FAR is conducting audits of existing licences and implementing a gun buyback scheme for excess or high-powered firearms. For now we are waiting for advice as to when and how this will go ahead.
Most of our members only own one or two guns and if this is you, these changes are not going to effect you. For our member who do own many guns, either for sporting or collecting, we do want to assure you that the NSWAPA has told us they are fighting for the most fair outcomes possible. If you do want to know more or want to contribute meaningfully, I’d encourage you as members of NSWAPA to get in contact with them and follow their instructions to make the most coordinated effort and put forward the best arguments for sport shooters https://www.nswapa.org.au/.
We thank you for your patience and understanding while these changes are rolled out. We expect there will be more changes in the future, but as always feel free to contact us if you have any concerns or questions.
Important Legislative Update: PTA Applications (Gun Safe) Back Online
The PTA application system (Gun Safe) is now back online following system updates to support recent legislative changes.
The Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2025 (the Act) will introduce new limits on how many firearms a person is permitted to possess. These limits are not currently in effect and will commence by proclamation (date yet to be determined). However, the Act does place immediate restrictions on applications for a Permit to Acquire a firearm, if this would cause a licensee to exceed their future applicable limit.
Effective immediately:
- A firearms licensee must not apply for a Permit to Acquire (PTA) if doing so would cause them to exceed the applicable limits listed below.
- PTA applications submitted that would result in a licensee exceeding these limits will not be issued. Such applications are taken to have never been made, and no refund will be provided.
- Due to ongoing system adjustments, processing times for PTAs will be longer than usual.
- Given the extended processing times, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a PTA only when genuinely necessary and after carefully considering the new limits.
Applicable limits:
- No more than 10 firearms for licensees with genuine reasons of:
- Primary production
- Occupational requirements related to rural purposes
- Animal welfare
- No more than 10 firearms for licensees with genuine reasons of:
- Sport/target shooting
- Business or employment
- Vertebrate pest animal control
Unless a greater number of firearms is approved by the Commissioner of Police in accordance with the regulations.
The regulation changes will be made in due course, therefore the limit which is immediately effective for the purpose of PTA applications is 10 firearms.
- No more than 4 firearms for all other licensees (e.g. with genuine reasons of recreational hunting/vermin control)
- No limitation for:
- Firearms dealer licensees
- Firearms collector licensees
If a licensee has more than one applicable limit, the highest limit will apply.
Additional Information:
There will be no immediate seizure of firearms for those currently above the limits. Further information about compliance and the buyback scheme will be provided before the new limits take effect.
