COVID-19 Queensland Cat H Participation Requirements

Queensland Police have announced relaxed conditions for Category H firearm owners in Queensland. Licence holders will not have to fulfil as many attendances, but may have to make a submission if they have still not met the lowered amount of attendances.   

In light of the significant movement restrictions and closures to sporting facilities across Australia due to COVID-19 Queensland Police have issued a letter acknowledging that firearm licence holders are, “potentially unable to comply with a relevant participation condition for the year for reasons outside the licensee’s control from the period commencing 1 March 2020 until 30 June 2020.”

The letter goes on to say that, “this decision is made on a basis of whole calendar months, having regard to the period that the authorised officer is satisfied the licensee is, or was, unable to comply with a relevant participation condition for reasons outside the licensee’s control.”

This means licensees will still be required to either have completed a prorated number of shooting competitions (detailed below) for the July 2019 to February 2020 period, or make a submission as to why they were not able to do so when lodging a renewal application.

Licence Holders who act in good faith will not have adverse action taken against their licences for failing to complete their required participation shoots due to disruptions arising from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Weapons Licensing appreciates that licence holders complete their shoots at different times during the year, and that some licensees may now not be able to meet their required shoots. 

 

The expected minimum number of participation shoots for the 2019-20 financial year:

Number of Classes of Handgun

March Expiry Onwards Number of Shoots Required

One

Four (4)

Two

Five (5)

Three

Eight (8)

Four

Ten (10)

 

Queensland Police say more information will be provided should further arrangements be necessary for the 2020-2021 financial year. SSAA will be providing more information about attendance requirements across Australia as new informtion comes in or is updated. 

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