They look cool in the movies,
So How do I get a Firearms Licence for Handguns?
...before you rush off to a Gunshop, there are a few things that need to happen first.
In Australia the only way to own a handgun is to be a member of a shooting club that shoots handgun matches, this is because the only place a handgun can be used, is at a shooting club.
The best place to start is the SA Police website, this has all of the current information regarding the required forms and costs.
So find the form, remembering to tick H1 for handguns, pay the money and they will send you a Letter of Approval to begin a Firearms And Safety Awareness Training course (FASAT).
While you are waiting for the letter to turn up, have a look around for a shooting club to go to, or even go out there and introduce yourself, let them know you want to get your Handgun Firearms Licence.
FASAT courses for handguns are run by the Shooting Clubs themselves, not TAFE as for rifles, so when that Letter of Approval turns up, take it to the Shooting Club and they will be able to put you through their FASAT course.
The Handgun FASAT course is a combination of theory and practical instruction designed to teach safe handling techniques, as opposed to how to shoot accurately, which happens later, and to introduce the new shooter to the many different firearm types available and/or shot at that shooting club. The course usually goes for about 8-12 hours, depending on the students experience, and so may be split over 2 or more days. A number of training shoots must also be shot as part of the FASAT course. This is followed by a short theory exam and a safety practical test.