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SO YOU WANT TO BECOME AN ARMS COLLECTOR IN QUEENSLAND?

It is recommended you first establish contact with the ACGQ Secretary. He will determine the area of collecting your aspirations will occupy. This of course dictates the type of licence you will need according to QLD legislation.

Briefly, and generally, the following applies:-

  1. If you intend to collect pre-1900 firearms which are truly obsolete, are genuinely antique, and which use truly obsolete ammunition not manufactured anywhere in the world, you will not need a specific licence. This applies to all such Long Guns (cap and ball, flintlock, and capped breech loaders etc) but cap and ball handguns will require a Certificate of Registration which is easily applied for at Weapons Licensing Branch and will need to be put on this certificate within 2 weeks of acquirement.
  2. If you wish to collect post-1900 Firearms it is a QLD legal requirement that you obtain a Collectors Licence endorsed for the relevant category of Firearm which you wish to collect. You will need to apply to the Weapons Licensing Branch (WLB) on their Form (see LINKS on our Homepage for the WLB Link) and you will need to already be a member of an Approved and Registered QLD Historical Society -- look no further because the Arms Collectors Guild of Queensland (ACGQ) is such a Society. ACGQ reserves the right to reject any application without explanation, but if you are accepted, will attest that you are a Financial Member of good standing on the WLB form QP517 which should accompany your application. You must supply a photo, proof of living at a Qld address, reasons for requiring a Collectors licence, details of the Categories of Firearm you wish to collect, etc.
  3. You will need to justify each purchase added to your Licence on Historical, Thematic, or Investment grounds and ensure that you are authorised to collect each purchase under your licence.
  4. The weapon will have to be rendered temporarily or permanently inactive (dependent on weapon classification).
  5. Appropriate safe and secure storage is a mandatory requirement before the acqisition of your firearm. (See WLB requirements through our LINKS).
  6. It is a QLD legal requirement that all Permanently Inoperative Category D,H,M and R firearm purchases have a Form 31 (WLB Web Site) before Permit to Aquire / Notice of Disposal can be finalised.
  7. It is a QLD requirement that a Licensed Arms Collector maintains an up to date register of his Firearms. Post-1900 Arms on your Collectors Licence should all be recorded in your Register of Acquisitions and Disposal of Firearms/Weapons book. (Get it from The Government Printer)
  8. Remember that it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY at all times to know your obligations under the Weapons Act. Do NOT rely on anyone else (including this Article).
  9. Remember that Collecting has its rewards and be prepared to really enjoy it. Cheers.

The Doc.