Thread: Useing the firearms register

I registered my firearms today. Taking a rifle overseas soon which is probably viewed as "export" and "import", an activating matter and as I had time today during a wet afternoon decided to get it done.
Bear in mind I'm a computer dinosaur so I struggled with it until I got into the swing a bit. First off I had to set up a RealMe account, that enables access to the Register. Then once into the Register it took a bit of doing I found. Initially I was pretty slow due to confusion over filling in the bars on an entry page ( one entry for each firearm ). There are pre-populated drop down boxes but ignore these until you have fillid in all the bars you can on the initial page. Then you press the top right "firearm identification" button ( incorrect name but you will know what I mean ) and when you have selected the correct option the entry page automatically updates with all the info. Luckily the correct info for all my firearms was in the drop down boxes. Only when the entry page updates does the bar for Serial No entry appear which you then fill in. If your particular calibre doesn't appear in drop down just pick something close which will automatically enter which you can then manually edit for the correct calibre.
If you're slow like me I think it best to do a few entries then submit them before carrying on later. I planned to submit all mine in one go but at some point info appeared saying I had timed out and I was logged out. So, all that info was lost and I had to redo it later. Bloody annoying.
I rang the 0800 number four times for guidance and assistance. All the ladies tried hard to be helpful although some were a bit bamboozled. I got passed onto the last one I spoke to who obviously was a system whiz as she got me sorted in next to no time.
It took me all afternoon to get finished ( I'm really slow ) and once info is submitted it gets confirmed and your list is viewable. I didn't find it the easiest system to use and thought it probably set up by non-firearm nerds but still managed eventually. I think for guys with wildcat calibres it might be a little more challenging but I think manual editing should be the go there.
I don't support the Register and wish we didn't have to endure this. But now it's the law and just how it is. If I thought I had the option I would have held off until after the elections.