I recently saw a ‘show cause’ letter from Queensland Police relating to a person who had or was seeking a firearms licence that related to his poor driving history.
This has approach has been applied across Australia since legislation giving effect to the National Firearms Agreement came into being.
As this agreement, and resultant legislation, makes it clear that the possession, carriage, use, acquisition and disposal of firearms are conditional on the need the need to ensure public safety and peace, Police must question if a person is likely to comply with the rigid licensing regime that exists with firearms ownership, when they have not complied with the much more lax regime that exists regarding motor vehicles.
There are always exceptions, and those are my bread and butter, but for the driving record to be properly taken into account, it is usually very bad and involves repeated examples of the following types of offence:
- Drive while disqualified
- recklessly endanger life, fail to give assistance
- Not give name after accident, fail to notify of change of address
- drive whilst suspended, exceed speed limit in built up area.
- Furious driving
- Repeated offences of negligent driving
- Repeated drink driving offences
We are not talking about a few speeding fines here.
This is not always the case, as the Registries sometimes ‘try it on’, and if you feel that you have been unfairly treated, seek legal advice.
Simon Munslow
National Firearms Lawyer
P: (02) 6299 9690
M: 0427 280 962
Simon Munslow is a lawyer who has a lifelong interest in shooting, having acquired his first firearm at the age of nine, and has had an active interest in firearms law since writing a thesis on the topic over thirty years ago at University.
Simon Munslow practices extensively in Firearms Law matters throughout Australia.
He is a regular contributor to the Australian Sporting Shooter magazine’s website on Firearms law matters, has published articles on firearms reviews and firearms law, and occasionally is asked to comment in the broader media on firearms matters.
This article is written for general information only and does not constitute advice.
He can assist you with:
Criminal law & Administrative law and in particular that related to Firearms
- All firearms, weapons and game charges
- Avoiding & setting aside ApprehendedViolence Orders
- Possession of unregistered firearms
- Unsafe transportation & storage matters
- Applications for prohibited weapons
- License Appeals
- Freedom of Information / Government Public Access matters
- Importation & Customs problems
- Advices & opinions related to Firearmslaw matters
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