How do I legally collect cartridges?

Each state has its own Permit/Licence/Authority to collect ammunition. You must contact the relevant statutory body to obtain the necessary documentation. In most states, a Firearms Licence does not provide the legal authority to collect ammunition. 

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How can I become an ACCA member?  
Membership application forms may be downloaded from the 'Membership' page.  A completed membership application, together with the annual fee, may be submitted to the National Membership Secretary at the address shown on the bottom of the application form. 

Some states recognise ACCA membership as a 'genuine reason' to apply for a Permit to Collect Ammunition while other states require ACCA membership before a Licence to Collect Ammunition is granted. 

ACCA membership will be granted on the understanding that the legal requirements for your state will be met. Until such time as each member provides evidence of a Permit/Licence/Authority to collect ammunition, membership will be deemed provisional.

 

Why do people collect cartridges?
Collecting is a natural part of the human psyche . All around the world, people collect stamps, hatpins, coins, Olympic pins, musical instruments, shells and countless other items of interest. So why not collect firearm cartridges? 

Who collects cartridges? Cartridge collectors cover a wide spectrum of the community and include men and women from all walks of life. Many have academic backgrounds in forensics, ballistics or ammunition manufacturing while many others have professional backgrounds in law enforcement, military or security. Naturally, many belong to various sporting and target shooting clubs while a significant numbers of collectors purely enjoy it as a hobby.

How can I obtain collectable cartridges?  
The best way to obtain collectable cartridges is to join an appropriate cartridge collecting club. Through regular state and national meetings, contact can be made with many collectors who will be willing to swap cartridges with other members.

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Is it safe to store cartridges in the house?  
Cartridge collections are far safer to store in the house than many other items generally stored in the average household throughout Australia. Scientific tests have revealed that ammunition must be exposed to fire for some time before it is sufficiently heated to ignite the primer or powder. As the cartridge is not constrained, a heated primer usually only results in the primer being forced from the case and/or the case rupturing. Often, the projectile will simply drop out of the end of the case. Neither the projectile or a ruptured case will penetrate more than a couple of layers of cardboard.

In Australia, the safe keeping and storage requirements are prescribed by the Firearms Regulation, 1977. 

Should I clean old cartridges?  
We should not attempt to restore old cartridges to their original pristine condition. After all, when a cartridge has survived for more than a century, it is entitled to show its age and to be viewed as the treasure of antiquity that it represents.
Any accumulated grim or dust can be carefully cleaned from old brass or copper rounds with a brass-bristle suede brush. The white powder from an oxidised lead projectile may be easily removed by the gentle use of the suede brush. Any marks left by the bristles may be removed by gently rubbing the lead onto clean, dry hessian bagging.

Am I able to send cartridges through the mail?  
Definitely not! In Australia, it is illegal to mail ammunition that has either a live primer or powder charge. It is safest to send live ammunition by road or rail. 

Am I able to carry cartridges on an aeroplane?  
In accordance with Dangerous Goods Regulations, the carriage of ammunition on 'planes requires the approval of the Operator (airline). An approval issued by QANTAS Dangerous Goods is valid on the QANTAS and Jetstar Group.

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To be eligible for an Approval You Must:

• Hold either a valid firearms Licence or Permit or Enforcement Agency Identification;

• Not carry more than 5kg  gross of ammunition, (multiple passenger allowances cannot be combined);

• Ensure all ammunition is securely packaged e.g. individually separated container;

• Ensure all ammunition is carried in checked baggage only.

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To obtain an Online Approval Letter: Use the link below, then follow the prompts:

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/travel-info/baggage/dangerous-goods.html