Digital membership cards are here. From this month forward instead of a plastic card, you’ll receive a digital version when renewing your subscription.
The digital card can be added to the wallet on your mobile phone and will function in the same way as plastic cards at SSAA ranges etc. If you’d like a plastic card instead, simply ring the membership office and we’ll send one out. As well as the added convenience of having a membership card on your phone, the digital option will save the Association considerable postage costs which can be better used in other areas.
You’ll receive an email with instructions and a link to your new digital card once you’ve renewed your membership. There will also be easy to follow instructions on the SSAA website to guide you through installing the card in your mobile wallet.
This edition features informative reviews from boots to binos that our correspondents have worked hard to put through their paces, so you have a better idea about the standard of gear out there and how it holds up.
The National Firearms Register continues to be developed and I’ve been involved in a number of calls with the Federal Department of Home Affairs to discuss how this will work and put our views to them. As you’d expect from a government department, they’re wondering what else they can add to firearms regulations and our clear message is to keep it simple and stick just to the national register.
The purpose of the register itself is simple: To share information among states and territories about registered firearms and licences. There’s no need to make it more complicated than that. There’s no need to standardise legislation across states and no need to tweak gun laws beyond those changes which allow the National Firearms Register to operate. Rest assured your state association will be keeping in close contact with their respective state governments to make sure they don’t sneak anything through on the way.
An interesting topic which did arise was the issue of suppressors. Check the SSAA National website for the full position we put to them but, suffice to say, the Association is keen for restrictions around suppressors to be relaxed. Not only would it mean we can be more effective as we help control Australia’s introduced species or assist farmers in protecting their livestock and crops, it’ll mean less public disturbance and safer shooting for all involved.
Finally, you may have seen some ABC reports in relation to the shooting of police officers in Victoria. Obviously we offer our condolences to families of the officers involved, however we won’t stand by while the ABC disparages law-abiding shooters in their handling of that incident. I have formally complained to the broadcaster about the biased nature of their reporting so let’s see what happens.