How to Join Oakleigh Pistol Club
Handguns can only be used in the state of Victoria on Police Approved Ranges by Licenced
persons and only for the purpose of sport and target shooting. Handguns CANNOT be used
for hunting in Victoria.
Anybody who is 12 years and over can apply for a Handgun Licence and if successful shoot
handguns in Victoria subject to licensing conditions and the Firearms Act. The only people not
allowed to handle firearms in Victoria are PROHIBITED PERSONS.
Membership is open to all persons over the age of 18 years, subject to the approval of the
club committee. Persons between the ages of 12 and 18 years may join as junior members if
sponsored by at least two full members. All applications must be proposed and seconded by
current members of the club so it is necessary for applicants to attend the range in person
before their application can be accepted. Family membership is available to the spouse
and/or any adult dependant children of a member or applicant for membership.
Visit our Club
Call in on any Wednesday evening between 7:30pm and 9:00pm or Saturday between
1:00pm and 4:00pm. Take a tour of club facilities, pick up the necessary forms and discuss
joining the club, licensing requirements and what we have to offer.
On Line Information
Visit our website www.oakleighpistolclub.com and contact our Membership Officer, who will
respond to your request within 24 hours.
Becoming a Member
To obtain a Handgun Licence you must be a member of a handgun club. Applications must
be made in person and consist of – an application form, 4 colour passport size photographs, a
prohibited persons declaration form, a fingerprint form and the joining fee (currently $80.00).
All forms are available online in our downloads section.
Upon lodging your application two committee or senior members will informally interview you,
the committee of management will then process your application at the next committee
meeting (first Monday of each month). Applicants will then be contacted, and upon your
membership approval and payment of your club fees you will be issued with your club ID card
and a copy of our Range Regulations.
Safety Course
All members must undertake and pass our Handgun Safety Awareness Course, which is held
at the club on a regular basis. The course covers safety issues, includes a live firing exercise
and a multiple choice written exam. Upon completion you will receive a Victoria Police
Certificate that you will require to apply for a handgun licence.
Use of Handguns & Equipment
In accordance with the Firearms Act 1996, no member of a pistol club may shoot
unsupervised until they are granted a Handgun Licence. Club pistols are available for the use
of members free of charge but only during normal range times. In the event of heavy demand
the duty committee member may impose time limits on the use of club guns. The club has for
sale many of the other necessities of shooting such as: hearing protection, safety glasses,
gun cleaning equipment, ammunition and targets. New members are urged to purchase good
quality safety glasses and hearing protection as soon as possible.
Applying for a Licence
Any application received for a general category handgun licence for the reason of target
shooting will not be approved unless the applicant is a current member of an approved
handgun target shooting club and has been a member of that club for the period of at
least six months.
To apply for a licence, you need a completed “Victorian Firearms Licence Application Form”
(available online or from most police stations) endorsed by the club, a copy of your current
club membership card, your safety course certificate and identification documentation.
Once your licence application is approved you will need to make payment and have your
photo taken. You will then receive your photo licence within a few weeks.
Purchasing a Handgun
During the first six months, members will not be permitted to own a handgun of any type and
must use handguns provided by the club or club members under close supervision. They
must also have satisfactorily completed the Handgun Safety Awareness Course and meet
minimum participation rates.
In the second six months, they will only be permitted to own:
♦ a 22’ calibre pistol or revolver and a .177’ air pistol
OR
♦ a centre-fire pistol or revolver and a .177’ air pistol
After successful completion of the 12-month probationary period, they may be able to acquire
additional handguns subject to demonstrating a genuine need and being able to meet other
requirements.
The committee, at its monthly meeting, must first approve all applications for handgun
purchases before any permit to acquire can be sought.
Range Times
Wednesdays 7:30pm - 10:00pm
Saturdays
1:00pm - 5:00pm
Open Access Members who own pistols may apply to the committee for Open Access and
receive a range key for a nominal fee of $10.00 per year and a refundable deposit of $30.00.
Open Access may only be utilised during daylight hours only. A separate Open access Rules
sheet will be issued to members who are granted this approval.
Competitions & Attendance
The minimum attendance for a handgun licence holder, who doesn’t own any handguns, is
the same as for a licence holder who owns one category of handgun. The licence holder is
required to compete in at least 6 competitive approved matches and participate in at least 4
approved shooting matches taking place on 10 separate days in a calendar year.
Requirements vary depending on the calibre's and number of handguns owned
The club also conducts various weekly competitions and practices as well as Postal
Competitions organised by VAPA, ICORE, IPSC and others. The annual club championships
are open to all members and everyone is encouraged to participate in inter-club competitions.
We are affiliated with VAPA, ISSF, IPSC, ICORE and SASA/SSAS.
Communication
A quarterly newsletter is produced and sent to all members. The newsletter contains matters
of importance and interest as well as member contributions. Other matters of interest may be
placed on the various notice boards in the clubrooms or at our website –
http://www.oakleighpistolclub.com.
Working Bee Commitment
A condition of membership of the Oakleigh Pistol Club is your commitment to work 10 hours
per year in and around the club. Member’s efforts in this regard allow us to hold the fee
increases to a minimum. Those who fail to keep this commitment will be charged at the rate of
$30.00 for each hour outstanding at the time of membership renewal. There are many
avenues available for you to complete this commitment from the regular working bees to
helping out in the club shop. Members who work in excess of 10 hours will have any credit
carried forward into the next financial year.
Membership Types & Fees
♦
Full Adult Member
-
Adult member with full voting rights
♦
Associate Member
-
Member of another VAPA affiliated club who wishes
to join OPC. Same rights as a full member.
♦
Family Member
-
A spouse or dependent child of a full member.
♦
Social Member
-
A member who cannot take part in shooting activities
But may attend the club in a social capacity
♦
Junior Member
-
A member under 18 years of age
♦
Absentee Member
-
A member who cannot attend the club for a set
Period (subject to committee recommendation)
Details of Club Fees *
Type
Full
$237.00
OPC Subs
$132.10
VAPA
$10.00
Fund
$5.00
Rule Book
$80.00
Joining Fee
$464.10
TOTAL
Associate
$237.00
$10.00
$5.00
$80.00
$332.00
Family
$118.50
$132.10
$10.00
$5.00
Junior
$118.50
$60.56
$265.60
$184.05
Absent
$30.00
$132.10
Social
$30.00
$162.10
$30.00
$5.00
* Fees subject to change
All fees are charged on a pro rata basis, dependent on the time of year that you join the club.
A schedule of fees with a month-by-month break down is available from the club.