Buying a Pistol

Once you have completed your probationary period and received your Category H licence, you can start looking at purchasing your own pistol.

Before You Buy

Speak to one of our trainers or experienced members before choosing a pistol. They can help you select something suitable for the matches you intend to shoot. Be careful obtaining advice from regular gun shops who may not be familiar with the ISSF target pistol matches.

Where possible, try different pistols at the club before buying. Consider the fit, balance, trigger and recoil. A good-quality second-hand competition pistol can also be an excellent first purchase.

Your First 12 Months

During the first 12 months after you are first issued your Category H concealable firearms licence, you can acquire a maximum of:

• 1 air pistol, plus

• 1 rimfire, centre-fire or black-powder pistol.

For example, you could purchase an air pistol and a .22 rimfire pistol, but you could not purchase both a rimfire and centre-fire pistol during your first year.

After your first 12 months, this restriction no longer applies, although normal Permit to Acquire requirements still apply.

How to Buy a Pistol

1. Choose your pistol.
   Decide what you want to purchase and make sure it is suitable for your shooting discipline.

2. Request a support letter from the club.
   For a Category H Permit to Acquire, you will need a letter or certificate from the Club confirming your membership and certifying your need for the pistol for an approved shooting discipline.

3. Apply for a Permit to Acquire with QPS.
   A Permit to Acquire, or PTA, is required for each pistol you purchase. You will need details such as the make, model, calibre, action and barrel length.

4. Wait for your PTA to be approved.
   Do not complete the transfer until your permit has been issued.

5. Complete the purchase through a licensed firearms dealer.
   This applies to both new and second-hand pistols, including firearms purchased privately.

6. Make sure your storage is compliant.
   You must have suitable secure storage in place before taking possession of your pistol.

Buying Additional Pistols

When applying to acquire additional pistols, you may need to explain why you require another firearm, particularly if you already own pistols of the same calibre and action.

Your reason should relate to your genuine sporting or target-shooting requirements, such as needing a pistol for a different match or discipline.

Need Help?

If you are unsure what pistol to buy, what details you need for your PTA, or how to request your Club support letter, speak to one of our trainers or committee members before applying.

Weapons legislation and licensing requirements can change, so always check the current Queensland Police Weapons Licensing requirements before purchasing a firearm.