SUBURBAN schoolchildren as young as 12 years old are applying for and getting gun licences in their hundreds, new figures show.

The approved youngsters, including pre-teens, can legally shoot rifles, shotguns and handguns under supervision.

Victoria Police approved 1028 licences in metropolitan areas last year — more than 270 were granted to children aged 12 to 14.

Junior gun owners live in some of the state’s most exclusive suburbs including Prahran and span as far as the Mornington Peninsula and Geelong.

Epping is Melbourne’s young gun capital with 211 permits given the green light to under 18s.

Victorian chief executive of the Sporting Shooters’ Association Jack Wegman said the legitimate use of firearms was not a concern to the community.

“First and foremost it is a legitimate sport, like any other sport, something that all ages and all walks of life should participate in,” Mr Wegman said.

“Our membership certainly is starting to reflect a younger demographic which we think is very good.

“We think 12 is a good age to introduce shooters (to the sport). Twelve is a recognised age for being on the brink of that youthfulness rather than childhood. It’s a good age.”

Mr Wegman believed numbers were increasing because more parents were deciding to arm their offspring for hunting and target shooting.

Presidents of rifle ranges and shooters are reporting stories about how gun culture in Australia is slowly changing.

In a strong sign that guns have become more accepted in the community, the Victorian Government lists a metro gun range on their website promoting school holiday activities.

And schools are signing up to shoot.

Lilydale High School takes year 7 and 8 students to the Melbourne Gun Club for target shooting while Geelong Grammar also participates in the sport.

The Herald Sun understands that at least five Scouts groups also shoot.

Junior gun licences peaked in 2011/12 with 1107 granted to metro children under 18.

There were 273 licences issued to the youngest applicants, aged 12 to 14, while older applicants aged 17 to 18 had similar numbers with 279.

It comes as gun ownership in Australia is back at pre-Port Arthur massacre levels.

The Sydney University school of public health found the number of firearms in the community was about 3.2 million.

Over the last three financial years junior licences in the suburbs of Melbourne and Yarra went from three to nine, an increase of 200 per cent.

Numbers also jumped in Westgate, Brimbank, Fawkner, Moorabbin, Dandenong and Frankston while licences fell slightly in Epping and Prahran.

A junior licence allows the applicant to use a gun on a shooting range and on private property for hunting under direct supervision.

All firearm users are required to complete a safety course before applying for a licence.

Across Victoria 5943 licences were issued to people less than 18 years old in 2012/13.

Bendigo had the highest with 702.

christopher.gillett@news.com.au