This question is to gather opinions

First I understand that firearms in wrong hands can be dangerous but I don’t think that people know what has to be done to obtain a firearms permit in Australia.

You have to complete a training course which has both practical and theoretical aspects were the instructor and the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia will judge if you are safe and familiar with the use of a firearm.

Then you need to have someone who has known you for 5 years (and isn’t related) sign pictures of you that state this is a true picture of the applicant.

Then the federal police service will conduct a background check (any criminal record will prevent you from getting a firearms permit).

If you make it through that you get your permit (from start to finish it takes about 6 months to get your license)

To then purchase a firearm you need to get a permit to acquire once you purchase the firearm there is a 28 day waiting period. You also MUST have a secure and lockable gun safe.
You can only purchase bolt action, lever action, single shot variants and break action rifle/shotguns
Unless you have an incredibly difficult to get license you cannot have any semi automatics (Rifle or shotgun) and you cannot have a pump action shotgun.

Now about some misconceptions
“You only need one gun” False firearms are like golf clubs what may work in one particular application doesn’t in another.

“Feral dogs and dingoes should be left alone” now if you don’t like the concept of a dingo being shot think of how dingo’s get there food they chase calves and sheep until they die of terror or exhaustion (I have seen this happen not only didn’t I have a firearm to destroy the dingo we had no way to humanly put the calf down)

“Semi automatics rapidly mow down targets” first a semi auto is ONE shot per each pull of the trigger and it’s not that easy its incredibly difficult to accurately fire and shoot quickly it almost cannot be done.

“Firearms for personnel defence” now no matter what your opinion is if someone was to break in to your home and you had a firearm you end up in more trouble than the criminal its stupid but that’s Australian law. So I agree that there isn’t a need for firearms for self defence in Australia.

Criminals purchase firearms illegally on the black market no matter the laws they WILL always have firearms. Many are imported on illegal vessels etc from over seas.

Now for all those that appose firearms ……… Here’s a question how many have you ever used a firearm because if you haven’t take the opportunity to use one at a range (under supervision of coarse) and you will see for yourself that what I have just said is justifiable. Otherwise you will be like the rest of the fanatical antigun groups with extreme bigotry to something which refuse to understand; or accept.