Firearms Act 1996
- Number
- A1996-74
- Status
- In Force
- Current law
- Regulations & instruments
- Forms
- Point-in-time versions
- Law history
Current version
Notes
- Proposed amendments by Statute Law Amendment Bill 2025[4].
| Effective | Files/Formats | Version | Published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 May 2025 | HTMLPDFWord | R63 | 15 May 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2024-11[5] |
Administering Minister and Directorate
- Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services - Justice and Community Safety Directorate
Legislative instruments
Legislative instruments under the Act and its subordinate laws
| Name | Type | Under | Effective | Year and No |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firearms Regulation 2008[6] | Subordinate laws | s 272 | 15 May 2025 | SL2008-55 |
| Firearms (Club) Approval 2015 (No 1)[7] | Disallowable instruments | s 40 | 22 September 2015 | DI2015-273 |
| Firearms (Club) Approval 2015 (No 2)[8] | Disallowable instruments | s 40 | 25 September 2015 | DI2015-278 |
| Firearms (Fees) Determination 2025[9] | Disallowable instruments | s 270 | 1 July 2025 | DI2025-109 |
| Firearms (Firearms Training Course) Approval 2020[10] | Notifiable instruments | s 20 | 7 October 2020 | NI2020-644 |
| Firearms (Registrar) Appointment 2019 (No 1)[11] | Notifiable instruments | s 33 | 13 December 2019 | NI2019-798 |
| Firearms (Registrar) Delegation 2019 (No 2)[12] | Notifiable instruments | s 35 | 14 December 2019 | NI2019-815 |
| Firearms (Registrar) Delegation 2023 (No 1)[13] | Notifiable instruments | s 35 | 18 March 2023 | NI2023-147 |
| Firearms Approved Club[14] | Notifiable instruments | s 40 | 10 May 1995 | NI1995-102 |
| Firearms Approved Club[15] | Notifiable instruments | s 40 | 7 September 1994 | NI1994-180 |
| Weapons Approved Club[16] | Notifiable instruments | s 40 | 1 June 1993 | NI1993-203 |
Related instruments
| Name | Effective | Year and No |
|---|---|---|
| Public Sector Management (Firearms—EPSDD) Delegation 2023[17] | 9 January 2024 | NI2023-770 |
Approved forms
Legislative instruments under the Act and its subordinate laws
| Form name/number | Description | Under | Effective | Year and No |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firearms Act 1996–Form AFP 3001[18] | Adult firearm licence application | s 271 | 29 September 2009 | AF2009-1 |
| Firearms Act 1996–Form AFP 3002[19] | Adult paintball marker licence application | s 271 | 29 September 2009 | AF2009-2 |
| Firearms Act 1996–Form AFP 3003[20] | Ammunition collection application | s 271 | 29 September 2009 | AF2009-3 |
| Firearms Act 1996–Form AFP 3006[21] | Collectors firearm licence application | s 271 | 29 September 2009 | AF2009-4 |
| Firearms Act 1996–Form AFP 3007[22] | Composite entity firearm licence application | s 271 | 29 September 2009 | AF2009-5 |
| Firearms Act 1996–Form AFP 3008[23] | Disposal of firearm | s 271 | 20 November 2009 | AF2009-98 |
| Firearms Act 1996–Form AFP 3009[24] | Firearm dealer (club armourer's) licence application | s 271 | 29 September 2009 | AF2009-8 |
| Firearms Act 1996–Form AFP 3010[25] | Firearm dealer licence application | s 271 | 29 September 2009 | AF2009-9 |
| Firearms Act 1996–Form AFP 3011[26] | Firearm permit application | s 271 | 2 October 2009 | AF2009-10 |
| Firearms Act 1996–Form AFP 3012[27] | Firearm registration application | s 271 | 29 September 2009 | AF2009-12 |
| Firearms Act 1996–Form AFP 3013[28] | Heirloom firearm licence application | s 271 | 2 October 2009 | AF2009-14 |
| Firearms Act 1996–Form AFP 3014[29] | Landowner/occupiers permission for recreational hunting | s 271 | 20 November 2009 | AF2009-15 |
| Firearms Act 1996–Form AFP 3015[30] | Minor's firearm licence application | s 271 | 2 October 2009 | AF2009-16 |
| Firearms Act 1996–Form AFP 3016[31] | Registered user of a firearm application | s 271 | 2 October 2009 | AF2009-18 |
| Firearms Act 1996–Form AFP 3017[32] | Surrender of ACT firearms licence | s 271 | 2 October 2009 | AF2009-19 |
| Firearms Act 1996–Form AFP 3020[33] | Approved club endorsement to purchase a firearm (handgun) | s 271 | 2 October 2009 | AF2009-102 |
| Firearms Act 1996–Form AFP 644[34] | Delivery/surrender of firearm, weapon or article | s 271 | 2 October 2009 | AF2009-99 |
| Firearms Act 1996–Form AFP 760[35] | Dealer return | s 271 | 20 November 2009 | AF2009-7 |
| Firearms Act 1996–Form AFP 850[36] | Permit to acquire a firearm | s 271 | 20 November 2009 | AF2009-17 |
| Firearms Act 1996–Form AFP 852[37] | Firearm permit | s 271 | 20 November 2009 | AF2009-11 |
| Firearms Act 1996–Form AFP 980[38] | Firearm licence category D application | s 271 | 2 October 2009 | AF2009-13 |
| Firearms Act 1996–Form AFP 981[39] | Dealer return - club armourer | s 271 | 20 November 2009 | AF2009-6 |
Point-in-time versions
| Effective | Files/Formats | Version | Published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 May 2025 | HTMLPDFWord | R63 | 15 May 2025 | Republication for amendments by A2024-11[5] |
| 30 March 2023 - 14 May 2025 | HTMLPDFWord | R62 | 30 March 2023 | Republication for amendments by A2022-2[40] |
| 30 December 2022 - 29 March 2023 | HTMLPDFWord | R61 | 30 December 2022 | Republication for expiry of provisions (pt 26) |
| 31 March 2022 - 29 December 2022 | HTMLPDFWord | R60 | 31 March 2022 | Republication for amendments by A2022-2[40] |
| 28 May 2020 - 30 March 2022 | HTMLPDFWord | R59 | 28 May 2020 | Republication for amendments by A2020-19[41] |
| 14 May 2020 - 27 May 2020 | HTMLPDFWord | R58 | 14 May 2020 | Republication for amendments by A2020-14[42] |
| 8 April 2020 - 13 May 2020 | HTMLPDFWord | R57 | 8 April 2020 | Republication for amendments by A2020-11[43] |
| 15 August 2019 - 7 April 2020 | HTMLPDFWord | R56 | 15 August 2019 | Republication for amendments by A2019-23[44] |
| 21 December 2018 - 14 August 2019 | HTMLPDFWord | R55 | 21 December 2018 | Republication for amendments by A2018-32[45] |
| 22 November 2018 - 20 December 2018 | HTMLPDFWord | R54 | 22 November 2018 | Republication for amendments by A2018-42[46] |
| 23 October 2018 - 21 November 2018 | HTMLPDFWord | R53 | 23 October 2018 | Republication for amendments by A2018-33[47] |
| 1 March 2018 - 22 October 2018 | HTMLPDFWord | R52 | 1 March 2018 | Republication for amendments by A2018-1[48] |
| 15 June 2017 - 28 February 2018 | HTMLPDFWord | R51 | 15 June 2017 | Republication for amendments by A2017-16[49] |
| 1 May 2017 - 14 June 2017 | HTMLPDFWord | R50 | 1 May 2017 | Republication for amendments by A2016-43[50] |
| 6 April 2017 - 30 April 2017 | HTMLPDFWord | R49 | 6 April 2017 | Republication for amendments by A2017-9[51] |
| 9 March 2017 - 5 April 2017 | HTMLPDFWord | R48 | 9 March 2017 | Republication for amendments by A2017-4[52] |
| 24 August 2016 - 8 March 2017 | HTMLPDFWord | R47 | 24 August 2016 | Republication for amendments by A2016-48[53] |
| 29 June 2016 - 23 August 2016 | HTMLPDFWord | R46 | 29 June 2016 | Republication for amendments by A2016-37[54] |
| 27 April 2016 - 28 June 2016 | HTMLPDFWord | R45 | 27 April 2016 | Republication for amendments by A2016-18[55] |
| 9 December 2015 - 26 April 2016 | HTMLPDFWord | R44 (RI) | 4 April 2016 | Republication for amendments by A2015-50[56] Reissued for textual correction in s 14 |
| 7 November 2015 - 8 December 2015 | HTMLPDFWord | R43 (RI) | 4 April 2016 | Republication for amendments by A2015-45[57] Reissued for textual correction in s 14 |
| 5 November 2015 - 6 November 2015 | HTMLPDFWord | R42 (RI) | 4 April 2016 | Republication for amendments by A2015-40[58] Reissued for textual correction in s 14 |
| 14 October 2015 - 4 November 2015 | HTMLPDFWord | R41 (RI) | 4 April 2016 | Republication for amendments by A2015-33[59] Reissued for textual correction in s 14 |
| 11 June 2015 - 13 October 2015 | HTMLPDFWord | R40 (RI) | 4 April 2016 | Republication for amendments by A2014-59[60] Reissued for textual correction in s 14 |
| 3 March 2015 - 10 June 2015 | HTMLPDFWord | R39 (RI) | 4 April 2016 | Republication for amendments by A2015-3[61] Reissued for textual correction in s 14 |
| 7 January 2015 - 2 March 2015 | HTMLPDFWord | R38 | 9 January 2015 | Republication for expiry of provision (s 263A) |
| 10 June 2014 - 6 January 2015 | HTMLPDFWord | R37 | 10 June 2014 | Republication for amendments by A2014-18[62] |
| 6 January 2014 - 9 June 2014 | HTMLPDFWord | R36 | 6 January 2014 | Republication for amendments by A2013-50[63] |
| 26 November 2013 - 5 January 2014 | HTMLPDFWord | R35 | 26 November 2013 | Republication for amendments by SL2013-29[64] |
| 25 November 2013 - 25 November 2013 | HTMLPDFWord | R34 | 25 November 2013 | Republication for amendments by A2013-44[65] |
| 24 April 2013 - 24 November 2013 | HTMLPDFWord | R33 | 24 April 2013 | Republication for amendments by A2013-12[66] |
| 12 December 2011 - 23 April 2013 | HTMLPDFWord | R32 | 12 December 2011 | Republication for amendments by A2011-52[67] |
| 21 September 2011 - 11 December 2011 | HTMLPDFWord | R31 | 21 September 2011 | Republication for amendments by A2011-28[68] |
| 1 July 2011 - 20 September 2011 | HTMLPDFWord | R30 | 1 July 2011 | Republication for amendments by A2011-22[69] |
| 1 March 2011 - 30 June 2011 | HTMLPDFWord | R29 | 1 March 2011 | Republication for amendments by A2011-3[70] |
| 16 December 2010 - 28 February 2011 | HTMLPDFWord | R28 | 16 December 2010 | Republication for amendments by A2010-51[71] |
| 6 October 2010 - 15 December 2010 | HTMLPDFWord | R27 | 6 October 2010 | Republication for amendments by A2010-40[72] |
| 28 September 2010 - 5 October 2010 | HTMLPDFWord | R26 | 28 September 2010 | Republication for amendments by A2010-30[73] |
| 28 May 2010 - 27 September 2010 | HTMLPDFWord | R25 | 28 May 2010 | Republication for amendments by SL2010-19[74] |
| 16 January 2010 - 27 May 2010 | HTMLPDFWord | R24 | 16 January 2010 | Republication for commenced expiry |
| 17 December 2009 - 15 January 2010 | HTMLPDFWord | R23 | 17 December 2009 | Republication for amendments by A2009-49[75] |
| 25 November 2009 - 16 December 2009 | HTMLPDFWord | R22 | 25 November 2009 | Republication for amendments by A2009-44[76] |
| 29 September 2009 - 24 November 2009 | HTMLPDFWord | R21 | 29 September 2009 | Republication for amendments by A2009-19[77] |
| 22 September 2009 - 28 September 2009 | HTMLPDFWord | R20 | 22 September 2009 | Republication for amendments by A2009-20[78] |
| 30 March 2009 - 21 September 2009 | HTMLPDFWord | R19 | 30 March 2009 | Republication for amendments by A2008-46[79] |
| 2 February 2009 - 29 March 2009 | HTMLPDFWord | R18 | 2 February 2009 | Republication for amendments by A2008-36[80] |
| 15 January 2009 - 1 February 2009 | HTMLPDFWord | R17 | 15 January 2009 | Republication for amendments by A2008-25[81], modifications by SL2008-55[82] and general renumbering |
| 2 January 2009 - 14 January 2009 | HTMLPDFWord | R16 | 2 January 2009 | Republication for commenced expiry |
| 18 November 2006 - 1 January 2009 | HTMLPDFWord | R15 | 18 November 2006 | Republication for amendments by A2006-46[83] |
| 2 June 2006 - 17 November 2006 | HTMLPDFWord | R14 | 2 June 2006 | Republication for amendments by A2006-23[84] |
| 25 March 2005 - 1 June 2006 | HTMLPDFWord | R13* | 25 March 2005 | Republication for amendments by A2005-13[85] |
| 2 July 2004 - 24 March 2005 | HTMLPDFWord | R12 | 2 July 2004 | Republication for commenced expiry |
| 9 April 2004 - 1 July 2004 | HTMLPDFWord | R11 | 9 April 2004 | Republication for amendments by A2004-15[86] |
| 5 April 2004 - 8 April 2004 | HTMLPDFWord | R10 | 5 April 2004 | Republication for amendments by A2004-7[87] |
| 20 January 2004 - 4 April 2004 | HTMLPDFWord | R9 | 20 January 2004 | Republication for amendment by SL2004-3[88] to modification by SL2003-28[89] |
| 29 August 2003 - 19 January 2004 | HTMLPDFWord | R8 | 29 August 2003 | Republication for modifications by SL2003-28[89] |
| 1 July 2003 - 28 August 2003 | HTMLPDFWord | R7 | 1 July 2003 | Republication for amendments by A2003-31[90] |
| 28 March 2003 - 30 June 2003 | HTMLPDFWord | R6 | 28 March 2003 | Republication for amendments by A2003-14[91] |
| 17 September 2002 - 27 March 2003 | HTMLPDFWord | R5 (RI) | 23 October 2002 | Reissued for textual correction in s 22 Republication for amendments by A2002-30[92] |
| 27 March 2002 - 16 September 2002 | HTMLPDFWord | R4 | 27 March 2002 | Republication for amendments by A2001-90[93] |
| 12 September 2001 - 26 March 2002 | HTMLPDFWord | R3 | 26 October 2001 | Republication for amendments by A2001-44[94] |
| 1 October 1999 - 11 September 2001 | HTMLPDFWord | R2 (RI) | 5 August 2003 | Reissued electronic republication of printed version Republication for amendments by A1999-29[95] |
| 23 December 1998 - 30 September 1999 | HTMLPDFWord | R1A | 5 August 2003 | Republication for amendments by A1998-67[96] |
| 17 May 1997 - 22 December 1998 | HTMLPDFWord | R1 (RI) | 5 August 2003 | Reissued electronic republication of printed version Republication for amendments by A1997-12[97] |
| 17 May 1997 | HTMLPDFWord | As notified | 20 December 1996 |
Bill and Explanatory statement
The bill and explanatory statement for this Act are accessed from Firearms Bill 1996[98].
Notification statement
The Firearms Act 1996 was passed by the Legislative Assembly and was notified in the Gazette on 20 December 1996 (Gaz 1996 No S328).
(Parliamentary Counsel)
Act as notified
Commencement
| Provision | Commencement date | Commencement method |
|---|---|---|
| s 1, s 2 | 20 December 1996 | s 2 (1) |
| remainder | 17 May 1997 | s 2 (2) and Gaz 1997 No S135 |
Expiries
| Provision | Expiry date | Expiry method |
|---|---|---|
| pt 26 | 29 December 2022 (midnight) | expired at the end of a 3-month period during which no COVID-19 emergency has been in force (s 417 (6)) |
| s 263A | 6 January 2015 (midnight) | s 263A (5) |
| s 220 (7), (8) | 15 January 2010 (midnight) | s 220 (8) |
| pt 25, sch 4 items 43, 44 | 15 January 2010 (midnight) | s 416 (2) |
| s 137 | 1 July 2009 (midnight) | s 137 (5) |
| s 414, dict def parental responsibility, note 2 | 15 January 2009 (midnight) | s 416 (1) but see A2008-19[99], s 2 and CN2008-13[100] |
| ss 129-136, ss 138-142 | 1 July 2004 (midnight) | s 142 |
Amendments
For section-by-section amendment annotations, see the amendment history in the endnotes in the current version of this law.
| Year and number | Amending law | Amending provision | Commencement date |
|---|---|---|---|
| A2024-11[5] | Biosecurity Legislation Amendment Act 2024 | sch 2 pt 2.5, sch 3 pt 3.5 | 15 May 2025 |
| A2022-2[40] | Crimes (Policing) Legislation Amendment Act 2022 | s 35, s 36 | 30 March 2023 |
| A2022-2[40] | Crimes (Policing) Legislation Amendment Act 2022 | s 34, ss 37-39 | 31 March 2022 |
| A2020-19[41] | Firearms Legislation Amendment Act 2020 | pt 2 | 28 May 2020 |
| A2020-14[42] | COVID-19 Emergency Response Legislation Amendment Act 2020 | sch 1 pt 1.14 | 14 May 2020 |
| A2020-11[43] | COVID-19 Emergency Response Act 2020 | sch 1 pt 1.8 | 8 April 2020 |
| A2019-23[44] | Crimes Legislation Amendment Act 2019 | pt 10 | 15 August 2019 |
| A2018-32[45] | Veterinary Practice Act 2018 | sch 3 pt 3.6 | 21 December 2018 |
| A2018-42[46] | Statute Law Amendment Act 2018 | sch 3 pt 3.15 | 22 November 2018 |
| A2018-33[47] | Red Tape Reduction Legislation Amendment Act 2018 | sch 1 pt 1.14 | 23 October 2018 |
| A2018-1[101] | Firearms and Prohibited Weapons Legislation Amendment Act 2018 | pt 2 | 1 March 2018 |
| A2017-16[102] | Firearms Amendment Act 2017 | ss 4-10 | 15 June 2017 |
| A2016-43[103] | Personal Violence Act 2016 | sch 2 | 1 May 2017 |
| A2017-9[104] | Crimes Legislation Amendment Act 2017 (No 2) | pt 6 | 6 April 2017 |
| A2017-4[105] | Statute Law Amendment Act 2017 | sch 3 pt 3.13 | 9 March 2017 |
| A2016-48[106] | Crimes (Serious and Organised Crime) Legislation Amendment Act 2016 | pt 8 | 24 August 2016 |
| A2016-37[107] | Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2016 | sch 1 pt 1.11 | 29 June 2016 |
| A2016-18[108] | Red Tape Reduction Legislation Amendment Act 2016 | sch 2 pt 2.4 | 27 April 2016 |
| A2015-50[109] | Statute Law Amendment Act 2015 (No 2) | sch 3 pt 3.17 | 9 December 2015 |
| A2015-45[110] | Spent Convictions (Historical Homosexual Convictions Extinguishment) Amendment Act 2015 | sch 1 pt 1.5 | 7 November 2015 |
| A2015-40[111] | Crimes (Domestic and Family Violence) Legislation Amendment Act 2015 | sch 1 pt 1.10 | 5 November 2015 |
| A2015-33[112] | Red Tape Reduction Legislation Amendment Act 2015 | sch 1 pt 1.27 | 14 October 2015 |
| A2014-59[113] | Nature Conservation Act 2014 | sch 2 pt 2.5 | 11 June 2015 |
| A2015-3[114] | Crimes Legislation Amendment Act 2015 | pt 9 | 3 March 2015 |
| A2014-18[115] | Statute Law Amendment Act 2014 | sch 3 pt 3.8 | 10 June 2014 |
| A2013-50[116] | Crimes Legislation Amendment Act 2013 (No 2) | pt 10 | 6 January 2014 |
| SL2013-29[117] | Firearms Amendment Regulation 2013 (No 1) | pt 2 | 26 November 2013 |
| A2013-44[118] | Statute Law Amendment Act 2013 (No 2) | sch 3 pt 3.8 | 25 November 2013 |
| A2013-12[119] | Crimes Legislation Amendment Act 2013 | pt 8 | 24 April 2013 |
| A2011-52[120] | Statute Law Amendment Act 2011 (No 3) | sch 3 pt 3.27 | 12 December 2011 |
| A2011-28[121] | Statute Law Amendment Act 2011 (No 2) | sch 3 pt 3.15 | 21 September 2011 |
| A2011-22[122] | Administrative (One ACT Public Service Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2011 | sch 1 pt 1.66 | 1 July 2011 |
| A2011-3[123] | Statute Law Amendment Act 2011 | sch 3 pt 3.20 | 1 March 2011 |
| A2010-51[124] | Firearms Amendment Act 2010 | s 4, s 5 | 16 December 2010 |
| A2010-40[125] | Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2010 (No 3) | sch 1 pt 1.7 | 6 October 2010 |
| A2010-30[126] | Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2010 (No 2) | sch 1 pt 1.9 | 28 September 2010 |
| SL2010-19[127] | Firearms Amendment Regulation 2010 (No 1) | s 4 | 28 May 2010 |
| A2009-49[128] | Statute Law Amendment Act 2009 (No 2) | sch 3 pt 3.30 | 17 December 2009 |
| A2009-44[129] | Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2009 (No 3) | sch 1 pt 1.10 | 25 November 2009 |
| A2009-19[130] | Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2009 (No 2) | pt 7 | 29 September 2009 |
| A2009-20[131] | Statute Law Amendment Act 2009 | sch 3 pt 3.31 | 22 September 2009 |
| A2008-46[132] | Domestic Violence and Protection Orders Act 2008 | sch 3 pt 3.10 | 30 March 2009 |
| A2008-36[133] | ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal Legislation Amendment Act 2008 | sch 1 pt 1.24 | 2 February 2009 |
| A2008-25[134] | Firearms Amendment Act 2008 | pt 2, sch 1 pt 1.1 | 15 January 2009 |
| A2006-46[135] | Health Legislation Amendment Act 2006 (No 2) | sch 2 pt 2.5 | 18 November 2006 |
| A2006-23[136] | Sentencing Legislation Amendment Act 2006 | sch 1 pt 1.18 | 2 June 2006 |
| A2005-13[137] | Domestic Violence and Protection Orders Amendment Act 2005 | sch 1 pt 1.9 | 25 March 2005 |
| A2004-15[138] | Criminal Code (Theft, Fraud, Bribery and Related Offences) Amendment Act 2004 | sch 1 pt 1.15, sch 2 pt 2.35 | 9 April 2004 |
| A2004-7[139] | Dangerous Substances Act 2004 | sch 1 pt 1.2 | 5 April 2004 |
| A2003-31[140] | Firearms (Prohibited Pistols) Amendment Act 2003 | pt 2, sch 1 | 1 July 2003 |
| A2003-14[141] | Legislation (Gay, Lesbian and Transgender) Amendment Act 2003 | sch 1 pt 1.15 | 28 March 2003 |
| A2002-30[142] | Statute Law Amendment Act 2002 | sch 3 pt 3.27 | 17 September 2002 |
| A2001-90[143] | Protection Orders (Consequential Amendments) Act 2001 | pt 1.7 | 27 March 2002 |
| A2001-44[144] | Legislation (Consequential Amendments) Act 2001 | pt 148 | 12 September 2001 |
| A1999-29[145] | Firearms (Amendment) Act 1999 | ss 4-7, sch | 1 October 1999 |
| A1998-67[146] | Custodial Escorts (Consequential Provisions) Act 1998 | pt 5 | 23 December 1998 |
| A1997-12[147] | Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 | s 4, s 5 | 17 May 1997 |
Modifications
| Year and number | Modifying law | Modifying provision | Commencement date | End date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SL2008-55[6] |
Firearms Regulation 2008, as amended by:
|
s 81 | 15 January 2009 | 25 November 2009 (midnight) |
| SL2003-28[148] |
Firearms (Compensation) Regulations 2003, as amended by:
|
pt 2 | 29 August 2003 | 1 July 2004 (midnight) |