18 FIREARMS RULES & LAW (51) Flashcards
1
Q
WHAT 2 PRINCIPLE PIECES OF SA LAW GOVERN FIREARMS USE?
A
- The SA FIREARMS ACT 2015
- The SA FIREARMS REGULATIONS 2017
2
Q
FIREARMS CLASSES
A
-
CLASS A =
- Airguns
- Manually loaded Rimfires
- Break action Shotguns
-
CLASS B =
- Manually loaded Centrefires
- Muzzle loading rifles
- Combination rifle/shotguns
- Revolving Chamber Rifles
-
CLASS C =
- Self loading Rimfires (up to 10 shot)
- Self loading or Pump action Shotguns (up to 5 shot)
-
CLASS D =
- Self loading Rimfires (over 10 shot)
- Self loading or pump action Shotguns (over 5 shot)
- Selfloading Centrefire rifles
- CLASS H = all Handguns
3
Q
DEFINITION OF A FIREARM?
A
- A Firearm is a device designed to fire a projectile by means of burning propellant or compressed gas
- It includes:
- Receiver groups
- anything declared by regulation to be a firearm
- Unserviceable devices which which would, if working, be a firearm
- It does not include antiques or other devices excluded by regulation
4
Q
MINIMUM OVERALL LENGTH FOR LONG GUNS?
A
- not less than 750mm (with any adjustable stock at its shortest)
5
Q
MINIMUM BARREL LENGTHS FOR LONG GUNS
A
- Air Rifles = 250 mm
- Rifles = 330 mm
- Shotguns = 400 mm
6
Q
DEFINITION OF A HANDGUN (FIREARMS ACT 1977)
A
- a firearm with a barrel <400mm long, designed for firing from the hand, & reasonably capable of being carried concealed
7
Q
MINIMUM BARREL LENGTH FOR HANDGUNS?
A
- not less than 120mm for SLP
- not less than 100mm for revolvers
8
Q
DO YOU NEED A FIREARMS LICENCE TO SHOOT AT A GALLERY OR RANGE?
A
- No, provided you are supervised by an authorised person (ie a range official)
9
Q
MAXIMUM MAGAZINE CAPACITY FOR HANDGUNS?
A
- 10
10
Q
PRESCRIBED FIREARMS
A
prescribed firearms are specifically prohibited under the act and include:
- fully automatic weapons
- RPGs & mortars
- sawn off firearms
- silenced firearms*
- homemades
- disguised firearms
* except professional shooters under strict conditions
11
Q
WHAT PART OF A FIREARM IS THE RECEIVER?
A
- the receiver is the main housing into which the barrel, bolt, breech etc are fitted
- the receiver is regarded as a complete firearm under the act, whereas other parts (barrel, mags etc) are just ‘parts’ and less regulated
12
Q
WHAT ARE THE 5 MAIN TYPES OF ‘ACTION’ FOR FIREARMS?
A
- BOLT ACTION
- LEVER ACTION
- BREAK ACTION
- PUMP ACTION
- SELF LOADING (aka SEMI-AUTO)
13
Q
BULLET DANGER ZONES
A
- the maximum theoretical range of a bullet is termed the ‘danger zone’, and, due to air resistance, is achieved with the muzzle ~30 degrees above the horizon, not 45
- typical zones are:
- 2000m for .22 rimfires
- 5000m for centrefires
- up to 1000m for shotguns*
*much less with small shot
14
Q
WHAT DOES ‘12 GAUGE’ MEAN IN A SHOTGUN?
A
- gauge = ‘balls to the pound’ : how many barrel calibre sized lead balls make up a pound…. so a 12g shotgun is a bigger calibre than a 20g
15
Q
WHEN MAY YOU LEGALLY HAVE A FIREARM IN YOUR POSSESSION?
A
- only when you are appropriately licenced to do so
16
Q
DEFINITION OF ‘POSSESSION’ OF A FIREARM
A
- Being in possession of a firearm means having it in your care, including in your hands, car or house, irrespective of ownership
17
Q
WHEN TO CARRY YOUR FIREARMS LICENCE?
A
whenever you are carrying the firearm
18
Q
STORAGE OF FIREARMS
A
Firearms must be stored in a compliant cabinet, which may be a:
- LEVEL 1 SAFE: with 2mm steel walls, securely attached to the building unless >150kg: mainly for modest numbers of class A and B firearms stored inside a dwelling
- LEVEL 2 SAFE: as above, with 3mm steel walls, for Class C, D and H, or Class A and B in an outbuilding.
- A Strongroom.
19
Q
POSSESSION OF AMMUNITION
A
- It is illegal to possess ammunition without holding the corresponding firearms licence
- Quantities held should not exceed 12months use
- ‘ammunition’ includes whole rounds, primers & propellant, but not projectiles or empty cases
20
Q
STORAGE OF AMMUNITION
A
- ammunition must be stored in a locked cupboard, separate from firearms.
- a vented wooden cupboard is recommended
21
Q
TRANSPORT OF FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION IN VEHICLES
A
Firearms and ammunition must be transported:
- In a locked compartment (incl glovebox or boot) if available
- With ammunition separate if 2 such compartments exist
- Out of sight.
22
Q
POLICE INSPECTION OF WEAPONS STORAGE
A
- you must allow SAPOL to inspect such storage ‘at any reasonable time’
23
Q
REGISTRATION OF FIREARMS
A
- all firearms must be registered within 14 days of acquisition, by application at any police station
24
Q
AUTHORITY TO ACQUIRE A FIREARM
A
- It is illegal to acquire a firearm by any means (purchase, loan, gift) without the approval of Registrar in the form of a ‘Permit to Acquire’, which has a mandatory 28 day waiting period
-
Exceptions:
- Dealers
- Loans to appropriate licence holders for <10 or <28 days, under the circumstances set out in the act
25
RULES FOR PRODUCTION OF FIREARMS AT POLICE STATIONS
* unloaded
* disassembled
* bagged and
* only in daylight hours
26
NAME THREE '14 DAY' WINDOWS UNDER THE ACT
you have 14 days in which to notify the registrar that you have:
1. acquired a firearm
2. disposed of a firearm\*
3. changed your name or address
*\*including lost or stolen*
27
CARRIAGE 0F _LOADED_ FIREARMS IN PUBLIC PLACES
* it is illegal to carry a loaded firearm in a public place without lawful excuse (includes loaded magazines)
28
LOANING OF FIREARMS
you may loan a _Class A or B_ firearm to an appropriately licenced\* person
* for _up to 10 days_ with a _verbal_ agreement
* for _up to 28 days_ with a _written_ agreement stating the reason and period
* for _over 28 days_ with a formal _Permit to Acquire_
*\* you must physically sight the licence*
29
DISPOSAL OF FIREARMS
* Firearms may only be disposed of to a person in possession of a PERMIT TO ACQUIRE (or a dealer)
* such transfers must be _witnessed_ by an _authorised person_ (police officer, dealer or approved club official) who is then responsible for notifying the Registrar
* the new owner then has _14 days_ to register it in their name
30
USING FIREARMS IN BUILT UP AREAS
* Using a firearm in a built up area is not not specifically illegal, but could be under the SUMMARY OFFENCES ACT if considered likely to *_injure, frighten or annoy_* others, or damage property
31
HUNTING LAW
* Hunting is regulated under the _National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972_
* _All_ persons involved (even gate openers) require a _hunting permit_ from DEWNR, and the written permission of the landowner.
* Exception: you may shoot pest animals on your own land without a permit
32
KANGAROO HUNTING LAW
* All kangaroos\* are protected and can only be shot with a permit
* The animal should be stationary
* A centrefire rifle should be used, with a telescopic sight, and within range for an accurate headshot
* The skin/carcass cannot leave the property without a tag
## Footnote
*\*and, as a general rule, all native animals*
33
UNPROTECTED ANIMALS INCLUDE?
* Foxes
* Rabbits
* Feral Goats
34
RECOMMENDED MINIMUM CALIBRES FOR GAME ANIMALS
* _SMALL GAME_ (Rabbits, foxes, cats up to 100m) = .22 Rimfire
* _MEDIUM GAME_ (Kangaroos, goats, dingos) = .222\*
* _LARGE GAME_ (Pigs) = .243
* _VERY LARGE GAME_ (Deer, Buffalo) = .270
## Footnote
*\* this is a centrefire cartrige, similar to the .223/5.56*
35
EUTHANASIA OF STOCK
Euthanasia of stock should be carried out with:
* _A Long gun_ (to allow better distancing and muzzle control)\*
* At least a _3cm air gap_ (to allow muzzle gases to escape)
* _22 rimfires_ are sufficient even for large animals if _downed_, or can be lead to a crush
* _Centrefires_ are needed for _standing_ large animals
* In _horses_, aim for the spot centred between eyes and ears (directly between the eyes will miss below the brain)
36
SHOOTING FROM THE ROADSIDE
* Shooting from the roadside requires the _written_ permission of
* the road owner (the council) and
* any landowner who's land is overshot.
37
LEAD SHOT IN WETLANDS
* Lead shot is banned in wetlands because ducks may eat it and be poisoned
* Steel or iron shot may be substituted, but is hard on older guns
38
APPROVED HANDGUN USE WITH MY H LICENCE?
* only for club purposes, ie only ever loaded at the range
39
MINIMUM YEARLY CLUB ATTENDANCE TO MAINTAIN CLASS H LICENCE
* you must attend 6 events annually for the first weapon, and 4 more for each additional type
40
WHAT SIGHT TO FOCUS ON?
* Focus on the FRONT sight, NOT the TARGET: the TARGET and the REAR sight should be very blurry
41
CLUB RULES BEFORE REHOLSTERING
* for _loaded weapons_: with safety applied if so fitted
* for _unloaded weapons_: range officer must clear first
42
NAME THE 8 FIREARMS SAFETY RULES
1. Treat every firearm as loaded
2. Always point in a safe direction
3. Identify your target & whats behind it
4. Never fire at hard surfaces or water
5. Never loaded in the car, home or camp
6. Store ammunition & firearms separately
7. No alcohol or drugs
8. Unload before climbing fences or obstacles
43
CLICK VS NO CLICK WHEN FAILS TO FIRE?
* _CLICK HEARD_ = firing pin struck primer, so failure to fire =
* _MISSFIRE_ (primer struck but didnt ignite) or
* _HANGFIRE_ (delayed ignition - can be up to 30s), so ALWAYS keep muzzle direction safe & wait 30s before opening action\*
* _NO CLICK HEARD_ = primer not struck, and cause =
* SAFETY ON, or
* FAILURE OF THE ACTION TO CYCLE\*\*, so actions on = check safe, confirm action closed
## Footnote
* \* ignition of an unsupported cartridge after the action is opened can cause rupture and shooter injury*
* \*\* the '_action_' is the whole sequence from the previous firing to this one, ie extraction, ejection, feeding, chambering, bolt closure, pin striking*
44
ACTIONS ON LIVE ROUND STUCK IN BARREL
* do not attempt removal
* remove bolt and refer to gunsmith
45
LOADED FIREARMS MUST BE.....
* CARRIED
* they cannot be put down.... not even to climb a fence.....they must be unloaded before leaving the shooters hands
46
FIREARMS CYCLE OF OPERATION
1. _FEEDING_: the cartridge is fed into the chamber
2. _COCKING_: the hammer is set ready to release
3. _LOCKING_: the bolt is locked against the base of the cartridge, ready to contain the gases
4. _FIRING_: the trigger releases the sear, allowing the spring to drive the firing pin into the primer
5. _UNLOCKING_: the bolt in unlocked
6. _EXTRACTING_: the cartridge is pulled out of the chamber
7. _EJECTING_: the cartridge is removed from the action
47
DRY FIRING RIMFIRES
* unlike CENTREFIRE weapons, RIMFIRE weapons should NOT be fired whilst empty as the firing pin may damage the face of the breech
48
NAME THE 3 MAIN PARTS OF A MODERN FIREARM
1) LOCK (aka ACTION): the parts that load, fire & extract the cartridge (bolt, spring, firing pin, sear, trigger, extractor, ejector)
2) STOCK
3) BARREL
49
CARRIAGE OF OFFENSIVE WEAPONS
* Carriage of _Offensive Weapons_ (defined as anything that could be used as a weapon) is illegal, and gives wide scope to prosecute inappropriate carriage of firearms, eg in public or in a vehicle without reason to do so.
50
ALCOHOL, DRUGS AND FIREARMS
* Whilst total abstinence is not required, it is illegal to handle a firearm when so affected by alcohol or drugs to be incapable of exercising proper control of it
51
CAN AN UNLICENCED PERSON SHOOT YOUR GUN ?
check!!
* Yes, provided they are under your direct supervision
