Approved Handgun Clubs Newsletter

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

LRD Name Change

Reduced Handgun Participation Requirements

Licensing & Regulation Division (LRD) has been advised that the Control of Weapons and Other Acts Amendment Bill 2011 is currently before Parliament and is due to be proclaimed during 2012. This Bill proposes (among other things) to bring Victorian handgun participation legislation more into line with the interpretation adopted by other States and Territories around Australia. This will make it easier for some holders of a handgun target shooting licence in Victoria to satisfy their annual obligation
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Fingerprinting Updates

A Message From the Superintendent

Electronic Newsletters:
The Licensing and Regulation Division will be distributing all newsletters electronically in the future. Electronic distribution will allow for updates and changes concerning the private security industry to be communicated in the most direct fashion. This will ensure that important information is more readily accessible. Newsletters will be distributed in an electronic form via email, and will be available for download on the Licensing & Regulation Division website.

In order to receive future copies of LRD newsletters, it is important that the following details are provided by the beginning of March 2012: Name/business name License number Email address

Please send this information via email to: licensingregulation@police.vic.gov.au Licensing & Regulation wishes to advise that the current January 2012 edition will be the final hard copy newsletter distributed via mail.

The Approved Handgun Clubs Newsletter provides information regarding topical issues to the firearms industry in Victoria. For more information, news and previous editions of the newsletter visit www.police.vic.gov.au/firearms

LRD Contact Details GPO BOX 2807, Melbourne 3001, Victoria, Australia 1300 651 645 licensingregulation@police.vic.gov.au
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(Continued from page 1) COMPARISON OF HANDGUN PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS 2011 REQUIREMENTS Minimum number of shooting events in which the owner must participate each year 0 10 14 18 22 2012 REQUIREMENTS Minimum number of shooting events in which the owner must participate each year 0 10 12 14 16

Target shooting clubs should make members aware of the change and direct them to the Victoria Police website.

Number of handgun classes 0 1 2 3 4

to retain their licence. The following table compares the total number of events presently required for each class of handgun, to the number that will be required from 2012: Within these revised minimum total event requirements, there is no change to the requirement that 6 must be matches (of any class) and at least 4 must be participated in for each class owned (matches or shoots). To enable handgun target shooters to benefit from these amendments for the duration of 2012, LRD will, in good faith, accept the revised participation conditions from 1 January 2012. That is, LRD will consider the changes in force from 1 January 2012. Target shooting clubs should make members aware of the change and direct them to the Victoria Police website at www.police.vic.gov.au/firearms for further information. The Licensing & Regulation Division Handgun Participation Guide has been updated

Licensing & Regulation name change

As from 1 July 2011, the Licensing Services Division underwent a name change and is now known as the Licensing & Regulation Division (LRD). As the responsible entity within Victoria Police for the regulation of the firearms, weapons and private security industries, the name change reflects that LRD is much more than simply a licence processing authority. LRD has a key role in enhancing the safety of the Victorian community. It does this through effective regulation of these industries. These regulation activities include stakeholder education and compliance activities such as undertaking forums, conducting audits of licence and authority holders, publication of a range of informational material such as guides and newsletters and many other activities. Regulation also encompasses intelligence and enforcement activities that are aimed at protecting the integrity of these industries and ensuring that legislation is adhered to.

LRD is placing increasing emphasis on these activities and the name-change is intended to reflect this.

The Licensing & Regulation Division has successfully changed most of its branding. However, there is still a possibility that you may receive a document which refers to Licensing Services Division. In this case the document you receive is still valid. It should be noted that our in contact information is as follows: Licensing & Regulation Division Tower 3, Level 4 637 Flinders Street Docklands 2008 Telephone: 1300 651 645 Facsimile: (61 3) 9247 6485 GPO Box 2807 Melbourne 3001 Victoria Australia E-mail licensingregulation@police.vic.gov.au

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Fingerprinting of Firearm Applicants

Processing changes
The Licensing & Regulation Division (LRD) is receiving some enquiries from the firearms industry regarding the fingerprinting process. LRD wishes to advise the firearms industry that Victoria Police has reviewed the process for taking fingerprints. The outcome of this review is that from 4 July 2011 all fingerprint checks, irrespective of purpose, will be processed in a consistent and efficient manner. This will enable Victoria Police to meet increasing demand for the taking of fingerprints. For the firearms industry, there is no change to the requirement for fingerprints to accompany new applications for certain types of licences (such as general category handguns, firearms dealers and firearms collector licences). Fingerprints provide a conclusive proof of identity check against National police records that cannot be achieved by the checking of name details alone as part of the normal probity process undertaken by LRD. However, the revised process will mean that the manner in which fingerprints are taken (live scan as opposed to the traditional ink method) and the locations for taking those prints has changed. A standard regulated fee for conducting such a check will also apply irrespective of the purpose for that check. The taking of fingerprints is a service not provided by LRD. For general information regarding the National Police Check including booking procedures, list of locations, fees and other frequently asked questions; please visit the Victoria Police website at www.police.vic/gov.au/ policecheck or call the Victoria Police Customer Service Centre on 1300 881 596 between Monday to Friday. From 4 July 2011 all fingerprint checks, irrespective of purpose, will be processed in a consistent and efficient manner.

Probity fingerprints
The recent industrial action by the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) concerning the processing of probity (non criminal) fingerprints ceased on the 21 December 2011. Victoria Police are currently processing all fingerprints previously submitted and finalizing applications accordingly. Additionally, it is anticipated that the recent instalment of additional live scan fingerprinting facilities will greatly reduce appointment waiting periods, and applicants are advised to submit their applications to LRD as normal.

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A message from Superintendent Russell Barrett

It is with pleasure that I write as Superintendent Licensing & Regulation Division Victoria Police. For those who do not know I commenced in the role in late June 2011, replacing Wayne Ashley who has moved to a new role. My first six months have been, to say the least, a whirlwind as I have not only gotten to know many of you, but gained an understanding of the breadth of challenges confronting us as industry regulators and the intricacies of the legislative environment overseeing firearms, weapons and security. For those I have not met, I bring to this role an extremely strong operational policing background, having spent the majority of my career working in frontline roles within the City of Melbourne. Notwithstanding this experience, for the two years immediately prior to this appointment, I worked within Victoria Polices Education Department, undertaking a variety of management roles, including overseeing organisational operational safety and tactics training, which involved the delivery of firearms and defensive weapons training. In the short time I have been here, I have been extremely proud of the major outcomes achieved by our team. Firstly in July came the implementation of significant pieces of legislation that have changed the environment in which we all operate. More recently, in November, the On-Line Dealers system for firearms dealers commenced its rollout. This long awaited initiative will ultimately result in over 50 dealers being able to undertake a variety of activities including submitting permit applications, registering firearms, and transferring firearm ownership online. This will not only increase transaction speed, but it will improve data accuracy and free up dealers from completing paper-based reports. Achieving the rollout of On-Line Dealers is not the only service improvement project being undertaken within LRD. Over the next 12 or so months we will continue to progress the external lodgement process and I can visualise a time, in the not to distant future, where the majority of our processes can be completed electronically. This will not only bring us in line with contemporary business practices, but in turn will greatly improve both our processing speed and ability to be an effective regulator. Despite these achievements the timely processing of fingerprints has and continues to challenge us. We anticipate the system will expand this year; but until then we appreciate your patience and ask you to continue to bear in mind the spirit on which the system is founded: maximising the ability for frontline sworn staff to be out on the streets ensuring community safety. For the immediate future, one of my priorities is ensuring legislative compliance across security, weapons and firearms. To this end, this year, you will see our compliance team out and about more than ever before participating in industry forums and undertaking inspections and audits. Finally, I would like to wish you all a happy New Year and I look forward to the opportunities 2012 has to offer. Best wishes Russell Barrett