AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

GUN LICENCE ORDINANCE 1971

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

No. 31 of 1971

	Section 5 of the Gun Licence Ordinance 1937‑1970 prohibits any person from having possession of a pistol without a licence.  Pursuant to this provision, persons such as bank officers, members of the armed forces and officers of the Public Service who carry pistols when on duty are exempted from this requirement.

	Legal advice has indicated that temporary employees of Departments and employees of Commonwealth Instrumentalities such as the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation are not covered by this exception.

	Since these employees are required to carry pistols in the course of their duties, the Gun Licence Ordinance 1971 will include them within the exemptions to section 5 of the existing Ordinance.

          R.J.H.
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(Minister’s Initials)