SFFP Tasmania believes that the firearm age restriction should be uniform around the country.

This should be the purpose of the uniform Firearm laws Australia wide to establish a standard. It is difficult to understand that there would be a varying standard within such a Country like Australia.
Differing ages could preclude minors from competing in competition shooting Interstate with varied age restrictions.

SFFP Tasmania is very aware of the demise of local rural sporting clubs, sports and facilities. Rural communities are greatly disadvantaged with sporting activities for minors.

Shooting disciplines at approved ranges as per our strict controls provide a sporting activity that minors can participate in with parents and peers. It takes them from mobile phones, social media and has them interacting with adults with a common interest.

This interaction is a positive step in the development of minors leading to adulthood, teaching discipline, respect and skill.

It is well known within rural communities that minors are exposed to firearms and their responsible use should start as soon as the parent believes and consents that their child is both physically and intellectually able & responsible to demonstrate proper safety and control of the firearm, under direct adult supervision and control.

There have been many examples of school based program involving shooting sports which are not sex specific and also totally inclusive of anyone regardless of physical attributes including disabled persons. Female participation in shooting sports/ recreation is widely accepted as the fastest growing demo graphic in Australia right now.

Shooting sports are proven to be a safe pastime. Therefore, if that age is 10, then it should be accepted…. with the conditions stated.

Again SFFP Tasmania stress that this does NOT include access to, or ownership of a firearm UNSUPERVISED prior to the age of 18.

It may not be known by others outside the shooting sports community but many shooting athletic champions such as Michael Diamond and Russell Marks started involvement in shooting sports well under the age of 10.

Were their parents irresponsible in exposing them to firearm use at such a young age? No parents are responsible and nurturing parents.

Success achieved answers that as many other lesser known champions of various disciplines did also.

The training, coaching and discipline they were exposed to at an early age no doubt played a major part in Australia’s medal success at various Olympic Games.

We did not hear any condemning of their success or demands to return medals from the anti-firearm lobby. Who knows what future champions are waiting in the wings to represent their Club, State or Country?

It is easily forgotten that Australia’s first Olympic Gold medal at Rio was a female shotgun shooter from rural Australia who cut her teeth at an early age.

The best person to make the decision on the capacity of a minor to participate in shooting sports is the person that knows them has their best interests at heart and loves them the most; their parents.

SFFP Tasmania also will pursue a more streamline process for minor permit holders who under our current Tasmania system have been disadvantaged when transgressing from a minors permit ( which expires) to a full licence (which entails a further firearms course and new application). Some minor have been forced to wait months for their full license application approval which had disqualified them from competition in the interim period.

This happens to a local competition shooter just recently who lost airfare and car rental fees when his application was delayed.

Background information …

Tasmania has a two stage minors permit. 12 years old on an approved range only, 14 years old on a range and in the field under strict supervision. NSW, Vic is 12 years old for both. Qld is 11 years old for both. SA 12 on range only and 15 primary producer. NT 12 on range only. WA doesn’t have a age. Be aware that in all cases this is under the strict control and supervision of a licensed adult and DOES NOT indicate a minor accessing, owning or walking around with a firearm unsupervised.
Adrian Pickin, Press Liaison Officer, Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party, Tas.