March 11, 2016
Queensland Police are asking firearms owners to check the expiry date on their weapons licences.
Sgt Greg Finucane said gun owners should not rely on a renewal reminder being sent out before checking.
“It is up to licence holders to ensure their licence is current,” he said.
“To avoid a new application fee and the associated new application process, as well as the possibility of weapons being seized by police, Weapons Licences must be renewed at least a day before they expire.”
At the moment, licence renewals cannot be done online; licence holders must submit the necessary paperwork at their local police station.
The Weapons Licensing branch has begun a project to identify and locate firearms registered against expired licences.
Police officers will contact expired licence holders requiring them to dispose of any firearms in their possession for safekeeping to a licensed firearm dealer; a person who is the holder of a licence authorising possession of the same category of weapon (on a temporary basis for not more than three months); or a police station (depending on storage availability).
They must then inform Weapons Licensing of the safe-keeping by letter or email.
Individuals may then either apply for a new Queensland Weapons Licence or arrange for the permanent disposal of their firearms.
From April, the details of any outstanding firearms still in possession of expired licence holders will be forwarded to local police for necessary action.
Queensland Police are responsible for licence notification and insuring notices are dispatched to licensees in a timely manner. If this government department cannot, then alternative arrangements for licensing should be transferred to another department more capable of administering weapons licence renewals.