By Pete Szaak, Acting CEO for SSAA NSW Ltd
Across Australia, the regulation and governance of shooting ranges is undergoing increased scrutiny. As the landscape of firearm legislation continues to evolve, SSAA NSW Ltd has remained firmly focused on proactive leadership, collaboration, and ensuring practical, safe, sustainable, evidence based outcomes for our members and the broader sporting shooter community.
A Legacy in Transition
Before World War I, most of all rifle ranges in Australia were constructed and regulated by the Australian Department of Defence (ADF). These facilities served dual purposes: training defence personnel and ensuring the public maintained a degree of marksmanship in an event of conflict or invasion.
Following the Port Arthur tragedy in 1996 and the subsequent National Firearms Agreement (NFA), a significant transition began. The ADF, which had historically overseen range safety and compliance, began handing over responsibilities to State and Territory authorities. The methodology of managing range compliance at the time was drawn from the British Ministry of Defence doctrines — which were frameworks designed for military training environments, not for communities of civilian sporting shooters who now dominate range use across NSW and Australia.
The Commonwealth repealed its range regulations in 1997, providing a 24-month window for States to develop civilian-appropriate compliance standards. However, in NSW — like in many territories — the default approach was to continue applying the military-based model, known in NSW as the Range User Guide – now in its 10th iteration.
Recognising the Challenge
This legacy model, while well-intentioned, is no longer fit for purpose, civilian range use fundamentally differs from military operations. Where military personnel engage in dynamic training using military ordinance and firearms, sporting shooters however operate in controlled environments with fixed firing lanes and standardised, civilian calibres. A reliance on outdated defence policies and has led to inefficiencies, confusion, and at times, impractical compliance demands.
With there being approximately 1,000 range approvals issued across NSW, and limited resources available to undertake range inspections by the regulator, this shortfall, is naturally putting the system under pressure, with sustainable growth becoming increasingly difficult without reform.
SSAA NSW: Proactive, Collaborative, Committed
To this end, SSAA NSW Ltd is not standing still, in that we have taken a proactive and collaborative stance — not only identifying the shortcomings of the current model but actively working with the NSW Firearms Registry and relevant agencies to modernise and improve the Shooting Range Approval process.
“Our strategic vision is clear,” says Lance Miller, President of SSAA NSW Ltd.
- We recognise that the military standard approach is not fit for public range use and governance.
- We are advocating for the development of a modern, community-based compliance framework that is regularly updated, improving processes to reflect evolving needs.
- We are engaging with government agencies, industry experts, and local branches to ensure the experience of sporting shooters who are the range users helps shape future policy.”
- We are testing and providing evidenced based data to ensure civilian ranges are safe and fit for purpose.
Lance Miller, SSAA NSW President states, “SSAA NSW Ltd is positioning itself as an example of how collaboration and foresight can produce better regulatory outcomes. By fostering respectful dialogue, promoting transparency, and championing evidence-based reforms, we aim to ensure the long-term viability and safety of our ranges.”
Looking ahead
Our sport is built on community, discipline, and safety; and in order to preserve these values, we must ensure our regulatory frameworks support and encourage on going participation.
With key SSAA NSW experts taking a collaborative seat at the NSW Firearms Regulations table, we will continue to drive a civilian range standard pathway, that ensures safety. To maintain practical outcomes, our intent is clear in that we continue to pursue credible testing, that provides empirical data which is evidence based and is specific to the civilian shooting range environment.
SSAA NSW Ltd remains dedicated to being a trusted partner in shaping the future of our sport. We are not just responding to change — we are leading it.
