When firing a handgun how far should you hold it from your body

The pistol-shooting fundamentals of breath control, trigger squeeze, and follow through are almost identical to those in rifle firing. There are, however, some important differences to remember.

• The first joint of the finger should take up trigger pressure, not the tip, as is often done with rifles.
• When a revolver is fired, powder flashing at the front of the cylinder can cause burns. Be sure to keep your fingers away from the front of the trigger area.
• The slide and hammer of a semi-automatic gun can deliver a bruising blow when held too close to the body. All handguns should be fired at arm’s length.

Body position and grip are vital to hitting the target. The hand position on the grip of a pistol is especially critical. Although the grip configuration of the revolver and semi-automatic are different, the gripping procedure is the same.

• Hold the handgun high on the grip so that the recoil is directed back to the hand and arm in a straight line. This allows better repeat shots and more accurate shooting.
• Use a two-handed hold whenever possible, applying pressure from front to rear.

When hunting, use a tree trunk, steady limb, or other stable object as a rest. Placing some padding, such as a hat or a jacket, on top of a hard rest helps with your aim.

COVID-19 update: Changes to Changes to Handgun Participation requirements for 2020

Trying handgun target shooting

Holding a general category handgun licence requires commitment; for those who wish to own handguns they must meet strict participation obligations to maintain their licence.

There are provisions to allow people to try the sport under supervision and instruction at an approved handgun shooting club. This is called a Notice of Receiving Instruction (NORI).

People who are interested in the sport may wish to complete the notice of receiving instruction or obtain a provisional general handgun licence prior to application.

Note: Prohibited persons are excluded from this provision. For information on Prohibited persons status, see Eligibility requirements.

Notification of receiving instruction (NORI)

If you wish to try handgun target shooting, you will need to attend an approved handgun target shooting club and complete a Notification of Receiving Instruction with supervision from an approved instructor.

Over a lifetime, an individual may only complete a total of 13 NORIs. Once you have completed the maximum NORIs you will not be able to continue to shoot with handguns unless you become licensed. You can find the NORI form here.

Provisional General Handgun Licences

Provisional general handgun licences are short term licences issued for between six and 12 months.

Note: A provisional licence does not allow the holder to acquire or own handguns.

Provisional handgun licence holders must:

• complete the handgun safety course within three months of the issue of the provisional licence and;
• maintain membership of an approved handgun target shooting club.

Provisional general handgun licences cannot be renewed. If a provisional handgun licence is cancelled the licence holder may not reapply for a provisional licence.

To apply for a provisional general category handgun licence, access and complete a Provisional Handgun Licence Application form through the eServices Portal.

General Category Handgun licences

General category handgun licences can be issued for target shooting or for work purposes.

Target shooters

You may apply for a general category handgun licence if:

• you have been a member of an approved handgun shooting club for at least 6 months

or

• held a provisional general category handgun licence

and

• have your application endorsed by your approved handgun shooting club
• have had fingerprints taken for the purpose of firearm licensing

If you hold a current licence in another state or territory that authorises the possession, carriage or use of handguns for the reason of target shooting you may apply for a general category handgun licence if:

• you can provide proof of a current interstate handgun licence (or equivalent)
• you are a member of an approved handgun shooting club in Victoria
• your application has been endorsed by your approved handgun shooting club

and

• have had fingerprints taken for the purpose of firearm licensing
• To apply for a general category handgun licence, access and complete a Handgun Licence Application through the eServices Portal.

Annual participation requirements for general category handgun licence holders

General category handgun licence holders who own handguns for the purpose of target shooting must meet annual participation requirements for each class of handgun owned. Failure to meet these requirements each year may result in your licence being cancelled and handguns surrendered.

A person who owns one handgun must participate in a minimum of ten approved matches or shoots per year.

For more information about participation requirements and other obligations consult the conditions for handgun target shooting and participation.

Ownership of general category handguns

If you hold a full general category handgun licence you cannot generally possess more than three handguns during the first six months of your full licence. During this period, new licence holders cannot possess more than:

• one .177 inch calibre air handgun
• one .22 inch calibre handgun or centrefire handgun
• one black powder handgun that is muzzle loading

Collectors

Like most collector items, firearms and ammunition are collected for historical, thematic, commemorative or investment reasons.

There are four types of firearm-related collector licences in Victoria:

• Antique Handgun Collectors Licence
• Category 1 Firearm Collectors Licence
• Category 2 Firearm Collectors Licence
• Ammunition Collector Licence

Existing licence holders

Collectors are no longer required to hold multiple collectors licences. This means that you can:

• hold antique handguns under your Category 1 Firearm Collector Licence
• hold firearms previously registered under an Antique Handgun/Category 1 Licence under your Category 2 Firearm Collector Licence

You can request the Licensing and Regulation Division to merge your licences when your lower category of licence is due for renewal (eg. roll your Category 1 and Category 2 licences together when your Category 1 licence is up for renewal).

Holders of an Antique Handgun Collectors Licence can display their antique handguns without a display permit and collect them for investment purposes however they can only do these things if they keep their Antique Handgun Collectors Licence (ie. and do not merge that licence into a Category 1 or Category 2 Firearm Collectors Licence).

Category 1 and Category 2 collectors can display their firearms or ammunition under certain conditions provided they have a Display Permit. There are separate Display Permit applications for individual collectors and for those approved collector clubs acting on behalf of their members can find the forms here.

Collectors can also carry or use their firearms under certain conditions provided they have a Permit to carry or use collector firearms. Again, there are different permit forms External Link for individual collectors and for those approved collector clubs acting on behalf of their members.

Longarm licensing

A Category A and B Longarm Licence is available to eligible people who wish to use a firearm for hunting, sport/target shooting or primary production activities. These people must be able to provide supporting documentary evidence with their licence application and each time they renew a licence.

Hunters

The most popular recreational firearm licence in Victoria is a licence issued for the purpose of hunting. You must have a licence to hunt whether you will be hunting on crown land or on suitable private property.

Game licence

Hunters wishing to hunt game in Victoria are also required to hold a game licence in addition to a firearm licence. You will need to contact Game Management Authority External Linkto apply for a game licence. Additionally, you can view their guide here External Link.

Holders of a firearms licence issued for the genuine reason of hunting, sport or target shooting or primary production are authorised to hunt on crown land if such hunting is authorised. The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) External Link is the regulatory authority for crown land.

Registration of interest

To apply for a certificate of Registration of Interest to hunt pest animals on Crown land, go to Service Victoria. External Link Alternatively, you can go to hunting and fishing in state forests ( exploreoutdoors.vic.gov.au External Link) or call the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning on 136 186 Monday to Friday during business hours.

The certificates are only valid for 12 months from the issue date.

Sport/Target shooters

Sport and target shooters are people who wish to shoot in firearm competitions. To have this reason endorsed on your licence you must be a current member of an approved target shooting club.

If you are a licence holder and do not wish to compete in the sport, but wish to attend a shooting range for target practice you are not required to have Sport/Target Shooting endorsed on your firearm licence.

Participation requirements for category C clay target shooters

Category C firearm licence holders whose licence has been issued for the reason of clay target shooting must meet the following conditions:

• compete in at least four clay target shooting competitions per calendar year
• competitions must be conducted by an approved clay target shooting club
• provide a record of participation from an approved clay target shooting club when applying for the renewal of a licence or at any time throughout the duration of a licence

Those who hold a Category C licence on behalf of a junior licence holder for the purpose of clay-target shooting are exempt from this condition.

Primary producers

Primary Producers are people recognised by the Australian Taxation Office as an individual, partnership, trust or company operating a primary production business. For some primary producers a firearm is an important tool for managing pest animals on their land. Victoria Police recognises those who run their own primary production business or work as an employee or manager of a primary production business.

If someone wishes to apply for a firearm licence endorsed for this reason they must be able to provide supporting documentary evidence with their licence application and each time they renew a licence.

You may be required as a part of your own business or as an employee to hold a firearm licence. In these cases you will need to provide thorough explanation and official documentation or a detailed supporting letter from your employer as to the reasons you require a firearm licence in the course of your duties.

These activities must be supported by another Act or Regulations.