Firearms
On 6 December 2002, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed on a national approach to restrict the availability and use of handguns, particularly concealable and large calibre weapons. The agreement has resulted in a major reduction in the number of handguns in the community and significantly strengthened controls over access to handguns.
ACT gun laws
On 26 June 2003, the ACT Legislative Assembly passed the Firearms (Prohibited Pistols) Amendment Bill 2003. The new laws gave effect to the nationally agreed handgun reforms, placing new restrictions on access to concealable handguns in the ACT.
In summary, the legislation:
- bans high calibre handguns (above .38" or 9mm) for sporting shooters except for use in accredited events
- bans short-barrelled handguns (under 120 mm for semi automatics and under 100 mm for revolvers or single shot handguns) for sporting shooters - swapping and lengthening of barrels is permitted but must be approved in writing by the Registrar
- bans high capacity magazines (greater than 10 shot) for sporting shooters, and prohibits the possession of magazines without a licence
- requires that sporting shooters participate in a minimum number of competitions per year
- requires clubs and new shooters to operate under a new scheme of graduated access
- enables the Chief Police Officer to refuse/revoke a weapons licence because of criminal intelligence or other relevant information
- further tightens weapons storage requirements.
The legislation does not disadvantage sporting shooters who compete in Olympic or Commonwealth Games accredited events.
The laws do not apply to primary producers and people who have a handgun for occupational purposes such as security officers.
ACT buyback scheme
Between 1 July 2003 and 31 December 2003, gun owners in the ACT were financially compensated for surrendering their prohibited handguns and integral parts. A collection centre was been established at the AFP Firearms Registry, City Police Station. Payments matched a nationally agreed list of handguns. The cost of funding the compensation scheme was shared between the Commonwealth and the States and Territories.
Amnesty for owners of illegal handguns
A general amnesty was in place from 1 July 2003 to 31 December 2003 during which owners of illegally held handguns were able to surrender those weapons to police at the AFP Firearms Registry, City Police Station without incurring a criminal penalty for possessing the weapon. No compensation was paid for illegally held firearms.
For more information:
- National Handgun BuyBack Scheme web site
- ACT Legislation Register: Firearms (Prohibited Pistols) Amendment Bill 2003, or
- contact the ACT Firearms Registry.
Safe keeping of firearms
The ACT Firearms Act holds the owners of firearms personally responsible for the security and safe keeping of their firearms and for ensuring that firearms do not come into the possession of unauthorised persons.
Non-compliance with the safe keeping laws can lead to the seizure of firearms by the police.
Firearms owners should obtain a copy of the firearms storage guidelines from the ACT Firearms Registry, as the requirements vary for categories and numbers of firearms stored.
Category A and B firearms (up to and including 10 firearms in total)
- Firearms must be stored in a locked container that is made of metal or hardwood, lined by steel sheeting and secured by locks of solid metal of a type approved by the Firearms Registrar.
- The container must be attached to the building with a minimum of two suitable anchor bolts in order to prevent its easy removal (unless the mass of the container when empty is 150 kilograms or more).
Category A and B firearms (in excess of 10 firearms in total)
- Firearms must be stored in a metal container constructed of at least 3 mm thick mild steel or in a container constructed of reinforced concrete, double brick or reinforced besser blocks.
- The container must be fitted with a steel door not less than 3 mm thick and if hinged have a fixed locking bar or dogging bolts welded to the inside face of the door.
- The container must be fitted with a 5-lever key deadlock on the door or another locking mechanism providing equivalent security.
- The container must be attached to the building (unless the mass of the container when empty is 150 kilograms or more).
Category C and H firearms
- Firearms must be stored in a locked steel safe bolted to the structure of the premises of similar specifications to category A and B for 10 or more firearms. More stringent requirements and specifications apply to storage in excess of 10 category A and B firearms.
- Where the bolt or firing mechanism can be easily removed from the firearm, it must be stored in a lockable container separate from the firearm.
Collectors’ firearms
- Collectors’ firearms have similar requirements to Category A or B firearms in excess of 10 and are to be made temporarily incapable of being fired.
- Category C and D firearms have similar requirements to active firearms and are to be made permanently inoperable in accordance with Firearms Registry guidelines.
- Additional requirements apply for the display of firearms. Collectors should seek guidance from the Firearms Registry.
Ammunition
- Ammunition must be stored in a locked drawer or container inside an approved firearms storage container, or in a lockable metal container kept separately from firearms.
Sale and purchase of firearms
The sale and purchase of all firearms must be arranged through a firearms dealer. Firearms dealers include club armourers.
If the sale or purchase is arranged through a club armourer, at least one of the parties involved in the transaction must be an approved firearms club member.