Following is a guide to obtaining a Firearms Licence (excluding handguns or Cat C firearms).
1. Establish your Genuine Reason.
1. Establish your Genuine Reason.
Generally speaking there are only two commonly used genuine reasons for having firearms in WA.
- Hunting / Destroying livestock / Vermin control
- Club use or Recreational/ Sport Shooting
Each genuine reason requires its own paperwork for the licensing process.
Hunting / Recreational private property / Vermin control
If you want a firearm for livestock or vermin control you will need to be a property owner or have a ‘letter of support’ from a property owner. The size of the property and game will determine the maximum calibre you will be able to license. For more information on what you can license on your property contact WAPOL Firearms branch. This is what is known an “Open License” as it does not strictly require you to shoot regularly during the year.
Club competition shooting /club use only
If you are a recreational club sporting shooter you will need a ‘letter of support’ from a shooting club. Each shooting club is different and all will require you to be a financial member for a period of time before writing you a support letter.
Sporting Shooters Association of Australia WA – Link
This licence type is known as a “Club Support” licence and will require you to remain a financial and active member of a shooting club in order to keep your firearm licence. Your club will help you with the steps required to obtain your licence as well as advise you on what type of firearm that will be suitable for you to purchase.
Once you have determined what type of firearm you are able to licence your next step is to purchase a firearm.
2. Purchase a firearm
When you purchase a firearm from Downrange you will be supplied with a Serviceability Certificate if payed in full or layby payment meets 50% of the purchased price the certificate will be issued. This certificate contains the details of the firearm you have purchased and will be used in the licensing process. Please note; you will not be able to take the gun out of the store until you return with the firearm stated on your licence.
Second hand firearms / Brokering Purchases
If you are purchasing a second-hand firearm or wanting a firearm to be brokered from another dealer interstate or locally the charges associated will be a fee of $150.00 for the 4 weeks storage, insurance and Serviceability Certificate. You will need to have the firearm sent to the store so we can place the firearm on WAPOL licencing books and issue you a serviceability certificate and store the firearm until you have your licence is approved. Storage fees will apply after the 4 weeks initial free storage at $30 per month minimum. This ensure that application process is started and if delayed covers insurance cost for housing the firearms.
Transferring Dealer Information:
Downrange Services PTY LTD
DL#09993889
60B Guthrie Street
Osborne Park, W.A 6017