A legislative requirement does or does not exist for applicants to establish a genuine reason to possess a weapon, or type of weapon before qualifying for a firearm licence or a permit to acquire a specified firearm.

Genuine reason under the law might include hunting, pest and animal control, sport (target) shooting, animal slaughter, starting sport events, gun collection, defence of person or property (self defence), or occupational requirements such as those of a security guard.

In some jurisdictions, actual proof of a genuine need is also required. This might include a documented, current threat to the life of the applicant (self defence), written permission to shoot feral animals on a property where such animals have been declared a pest (hunting), or ongoing, documented membership of a rifle or pistol club (target shooting).