Which of the following is a key offence under the Firearms Amendment (No.2) Act 1997?

• A. Possession of a prohibited weapon
• B. Driving without a license
• C. Possession of a permit for a firearm
• D. Assault causing ABH

Answer: (C)

Licensing all hinges on who is allowed to possess a firearm, and the Firearms Amendment (No.2) Act 1997 tightens that control by focusing on the permit system. The key offence described by this amendment is possessing a firearm permit in a way that shows you are not properly entitled to possess the firearm, or are using the permit inappropriately. In other words, the act targets the misuse or improper possession of the permit itself as the central breach of the licensing regime.

The other options don’t align with the aim of this firearm-specific amendment. Driving without a license falls under road traffic law, not firearms regulation. Assault causing ABH is a violent offence unrelated to how firearms are licensed. While possession of a prohibited weapon is a relevant firearms offence, this particular amendment is concerned with the permit framework and the consequences of possessing or using a permit improperly.