Bit of confusion

[razza727]

okay so i know everyone is probably sick of topics like this but im confused about the laws.

Yes i have read the stickies.

okay so, im 16 and live in queensland and im just wondering whether i can apply for a firearms license and own a paintball marker.

Any information will be much appreciated. :)

[moshoo]

http://billspaintball.com/vb3/showthread.php?t=7135

vii. Minor licences (Regarding those under 18)
Am I eligable for a firearms licence/purchase of paintball gun?
Yes and No. Whilst you are allowed to hold a Minors licence, as a condition on the licence, you are not allowed to purchase any gun until you are 18.

From QLD Police Site

Who can obtain a Weapons Act Licence?

To obtain a Weapons Act licence you must meet certain requirements.

These include:

* Full licence holders must be at least 18 years of age.
* Children of at least 11 years of age can use certain firearms, with adult supervision, under a minor's licence.
* A person is ineligible to hold a Weapons Act Licence if, within the past five years, they have been convicted of offences including misuse of drugs, or weapons, and the use or threatened use of violence.
* A person is ineligible to hold a Weapons Act Licence if they are or have been the subject of a domestic violence order in the past five years.

When can I possess or use a weapon without a licence?

If not disqualified or prevented from obtaining a licence under the Weapons Act 1990, a person may possess and use a weapon without a licence under certain circumstances. These are:

* A minor (at least 11 years) may possess and use a Category A or B firearm, where it is lawful and safe to do so, if the minor is under supervision of a parent or guardian or someone acting as a parent or guardian. This person must be licensed to possess the weapon.
* A minor (at least 11 years) may possess and use a Category A or B firearm, at an approved range, if the minor is supervised directly and immediately by a range officer. After firing the weapon on three separate occasions, direct supervision can be to a group of up to six minors by the range officer or their appointee.
* A person who is eligible to obtain a licence may have possession and use a weapon at a range approved for the category of weapon, if they have produced identification and signed the appropriate forms. Possession and use must be supervised by a range officer.
* A person who is an agent, employee or member of the immediate family of a primary producer may possess and use a weapon on the primary producer's land, if the person:

i) assists the primary producer with primary production on the land; and
ii) is eligible to obtain a licence to possess a weapon; and
iii) only uses the weapon with the express consent of the primary producer; and
iv) only uses the weapon in connection with carrying out primary production on the land.
* A person using a shooting gallery may physically possess and use a weapon allowed under the conditions of gallery approval.

[ANFO]

I don't know how strict Qld is, but over here in WA, I know young fellas who get their old fellas to get a license, and get them to put their young fellas Gat on it. So the young fella, who's under 18, can go play at a field with it. The only hick-up is that they need to be over 16 to play without parental/guardian supervision.
But yeh, looks like Moshoo's quote summed it up champ.

If all else fails. Give the Firearms licensing department a call. I've rung them in WA, and the bloke on the other end was a great bloke to talk to regarding paintball licensing.

[bubba]

Are you sure the minor can use the marker without the licensee present? I didn't think this was the case..

[razza727]

Soo that pretty much means i can hold a license an use a marker, but cant purchase the marker, right?

[The Camo Kid]

licencee has to be present!!

[bubba]

Thought so :)

[Greg.C]

any place in qld that it is legal to play paintball is covered by a gallery licence so a minors licnece would be pointless

just my 2 bobs

better to get one of your parents to geyt a licence in order to let you purchase a marker many muchly easier

hence one of them would prolly have to anyway

[Hornet Driver]

Hey razza...

As far as QLD law goes, yeah, you can get a licence if you're under 18, but if you are gonna get another person to get a licence so you can buy a marker and use it, bear in mind that AT ALL TIMES during the use of that marker, the ONLY person that is supposed to be using it is the person whose licence it is connected to.

That is why you have gallery licences for paintball courses; part of that licence is the permission to own markers for use by unlicenced persons (such as your good self), as long as the user is under supervision of a suitably licenced person.
Some establishments will police this law vehmently, and others not. After all is said and done, if Weapons Licensing walks through the door to do a spot inspection (which they HAVE been known to do), they will want to know if there are any licenced shooters on the course, if they have their own markers, and if they are the sole person(s) using the marker(s). If you're busted, I believe there is an individual fine, and a fine/penalty for the gallery. This may extend to cancellation of the gallery licence.
However...
You can have a marker registered to you if you are a minor, as long as they say you are allowed to, but there must be a person present at all times during the use of that marker who is licensed to possess that marker.
This is the grey area you need to check on yourself with Weapons Licensing; if you have it registered to yourself, and you take it to a course where the staff are licenced adequately, can you use it under their supervision, or does your own parent/guardian have to be present, and properly licenced.

For this answer, go straight to the horse's mouth. Don't take anyone else's advice. Ask Weapons Licencing directly, and get used to dealing with them mate. You're gonna have to do it a lot, so be nice, ask the right questions, and listen. They aren't too bad a bunch if you treat them right.:thumbsup:

[lump_a_charcoal]

You're gonna have to do it a lot, so be nice, ask the right questions, and listen. They aren't too bad a bunch if you treat them right.:thumbsup:

And make sure you do treat them right... Any dummy spits or narky comments can make them "blacklist" you, so that you can never get a licence...

Be patient and nice.