Australia has some of the strictest international restrictions on the private ownership of firearms. To put it another way, even possessing a simple pistol is difficult because of all the rules and regulations that apply. There is only one justification for a sporting shooter to own a handgun in Australia: membership and active participation in a pistol club.

You cannot apply for a pistol license until you have been a financial member of a club for at least six months. According to Lunde Studio, you cannot own a firearm for hunting in Australia, especially rifles and other long guns. A person who wishes a Handgun License should become an active member of the Pistol Club for six months of membership and complete six introductory safety shootings. Once the probation is over, and your registers are filled out, you may apply for a handgun license with the written authorization of the pistol club.

You have to have secure storage to own a firearm in Australia, too. The construction structure of all Cat H firearms shall be clamped with bolting or attachment of at least 10 mm diameter, and the minimum weight of CAT H shall not be required.

On the other hand, gun regulations in Australia are primarily the responsibility of Australian states and territories, with the federal government regulating gun importation. Following multiple high-profile killing sprees during the last two decades of the twentieth century, the federal government coordinated more restricted gun legislation with the state governments. The National Firearms Agreement, signed in 1996, brought gun restrictions closer together. 

More than a million weapons, probably a third of the national stock, were gathered and destroyed in two federally supported gun buybacks and voluntary surrenders, as well as state governments' gun amnesties before and after the Port Arthur Massacre. Contrary to popular misconceptions acquiring a gun in Australia is not difficult if you have the correct intentions. It's not difficult to get a license as long as you don't have any previous criminal convictions; all it takes is time and money. But is owning a gun for self-defense considered an excellent intention in Australia?

Is it okay to use guns for self-defense in Australia?

To possess or use a firearm, a person must have a firearm license. Holders of a firearm license must show that they have a "genuine purpose" for having one and use the gun for good intentions. All firearms must be serialized and registered to the owner, who must also have a firearms license. Unfortunately, using a gun for self-defense is not considered a good intention in Australia.

In this present time, possession of any weapon, deadly or non-lethal, for self-defense in Australia is now a criminal crime. Many raped and killed women may have been prosecuted if they had been carrying anything that could have rescued them. In Australia, it is against the law for licensed gun owners to use their weapons in self-defense or to defend their families from an armed house invasion.

The ability to defend yourself against an armed assailant, or a greater unarmed adversary, should be a human right. Citizens should be permitted to carry Pepper Spray or a Taser for self-defense lawfully. Gun owners should be able to use their weapons for self-defense and protect their families in the event of an armed house invasion.

This is general information. Obtain advice in your State or Territory from the police.