Gun licence renewal should be automatic
The Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes has joined the call for the automatic renewal of firearm licences, similar to motor vehicle licences.
Dr Sykes, The Nationals Spokesperson for Police & Emergency Services said, “The Nationals believe the automatic renewal of firearm licences should take place every five years, rather than requiring gun owners to reapply for the licence”.
“This automatic licence renewal, with some requirements for mandatory reporting of changed circumstances, would be a simpler and less time consuming process.”
Dr Sykes said that the Firearms Act currently treats each licence renewal as a new application.
“Given the initial licence screening and ongoing monitoring of licence-holders by the Victoria Police, the requirement that renewals be treated as new applications does not add any value to the regulatory process. In fact it adds costs to all concerned,” Dr Sykes said.
“Amending the act to provide for automatic renewals would not affect the ability of the Chief Commissioner to revoke a licence, and a new provision could be inserted to enable her to refuse to renew a licence that would otherwise be scheduled for automatic renewal.
“Moving to automatic renewals would release badly needed resources within the licensing services division to perform other functions as well as making the interface with shooters more 'user friendly'. Automatic renewals would provide administrative efficiency without having any impact on public safety -- therefore providing a net benefit.”
“There is an automatic renewal process for a motor vehicle licence, but if for some reason there is a change in one's personal circumstance -- for example, certain medical conditions -- there is a mandatory requirement to notify VicRoads,” Dr Sykes said.
“Universally, I think that people who do the right thing, those who legally own and use firearms, accept that there needs to be some form of regulatory regime to control ownership and use of firearms.”
Dr Sykes concluded, “The Nationals are saying that we can continue to have five-year firearm licences but that they be renewed automatically, rather than requiring a separate application to renew each licence, and I urge the State Government to work with key interest groups to further improve the firearms licensing process”.
Dr Sykes, The Nationals Spokesperson for Police & Emergency Services said, “The Nationals believe the automatic renewal of firearm licences should take place every five years, rather than requiring gun owners to reapply for the licence”.
“This automatic licence renewal, with some requirements for mandatory reporting of changed circumstances, would be a simpler and less time consuming process.”
Dr Sykes said that the Firearms Act currently treats each licence renewal as a new application.
“Given the initial licence screening and ongoing monitoring of licence-holders by the Victoria Police, the requirement that renewals be treated as new applications does not add any value to the regulatory process. In fact it adds costs to all concerned,” Dr Sykes said.
“Amending the act to provide for automatic renewals would not affect the ability of the Chief Commissioner to revoke a licence, and a new provision could be inserted to enable her to refuse to renew a licence that would otherwise be scheduled for automatic renewal.
“Moving to automatic renewals would release badly needed resources within the licensing services division to perform other functions as well as making the interface with shooters more 'user friendly'. Automatic renewals would provide administrative efficiency without having any impact on public safety -- therefore providing a net benefit.”
“There is an automatic renewal process for a motor vehicle licence, but if for some reason there is a change in one's personal circumstance -- for example, certain medical conditions -- there is a mandatory requirement to notify VicRoads,” Dr Sykes said.
“Universally, I think that people who do the right thing, those who legally own and use firearms, accept that there needs to be some form of regulatory regime to control ownership and use of firearms.”
Dr Sykes concluded, “The Nationals are saying that we can continue to have five-year firearm licences but that they be renewed automatically, rather than requiring a separate application to renew each licence, and I urge the State Government to work with key interest groups to further improve the firearms licensing process”.
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posted by Greg Naylor at
1:22 PM
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