Firearms Regulation 2008

A person who holds a collectors licence takes reasonable steps to ensure that a category C, category D or category H firearm stated in the licence is stored safely if the firearm is stored in accordance with this section.

The firearms must be stored in a metal safe or a concrete or brick safe.

A safe mentioned in subsection (2) must—

for a metal safe—

be constructed of structural grade mild steel that conforms with AS/NZS 3678:1996 grade 250 and is not less than 3mm thick; and

be constructed with continuous welding of all edges; and

for a safe other than a metal safe—be constructed of reinforced concrete, double brick or reinforced besser blocks that are not less than 140mm thick; and

be fitted with a door—

constructed of structural grade mild steel that conforms with Australian Standard 3678:1996 grade 250 and is not less than 3mm thick and that is swung on either—

concealed pivots; or

externally mounted sealed end hinges welded to the door and body of the container; and

that is flush fitting with a clearance around it of no more than 1mm; and

if the door is hinged—have a fixed locking bar or dogging bolts welded to the inside face of the door near the hinge edge that engages or engage in a rebate in the container body when the door is closed; and

be fitted with a 5-lever key deadlock or a locking mechanism that provides at least equivalent security; and

be constructed with a full length steel rebate welded to the side of the container body, the locking edge of which will receive the deadlock of the locking mechanism.

A metal safe mentioned in subsection (2) must be mounted on a wall or on the floor as follows:

if mounted on brick—the safe must be attached by at least 2 Loxin anchor-type high-tensile bolts with a diameter of 52mm x 16mm and a 10mm thread;

if mounted on concrete or stone—the safe must be attached by at least 2 Dyna-type bolts and expanding anchors with a diameter of 70mm x 12mm and a 10mm thread that are internally fitted through holes in the rear or bottom of the container that conform with the manufacturer’s specifications;

if mounted on wall studs or floor joists—

it must be attached flush against the timber or plaster surfaces by 2 steel hexagonal-head coach screws that are not less than 8mm in diameter x 50mm in length and are internally fitted through holes in the rear or bottom of the container that conform with the manufacturer’s specifications; and

the container, timber floor or plaster wall surfaces must be recessed so there is no airspace between the surfaces and the container, with the rear bottom edge of the container being recessed into skirting board.

A locking mechanism mentioned in subsection (3) (e) must be securely fixed to the rear face of the door of the container by retaining screws and a metal strap overlapping, or enclosing, the locking case with each end welded to the rear door face.

This section applies to the holder of a category H licence that is an entity that carries on business in the ACT as a security organisation.

If not more than 1 registered firearm is held under the licence—

when the firearm is not being used or carried, it must be—

stored in a locked steel safe—

of a type approved by the registrar; and

bolted to the structure of the registered premises for the firearm; and

fitted with a trigger or barrel lock that prevents the firearm from being discharged; and

secured on, or in, a locked device within the safe; and

the safe must be fitted with an alarm of a type that is—

approved by the registrar; and

monitored at a place separate from the registered premises; and

the registered premises must be approved by the registrar for storing the firearms.

If more than 1, but not more than 5, registered firearms are held under the licence—

when a firearm is not being used or carried, it must be—

stored in a safe of a type that meets the requirements mentioned in paragraph (b); and

fitted with a trigger or barrel lock that prevents the firearm from being discharged; and

secured individually on, or in, a locked device within the safe; and

the safe must be—

a steel safe weighing at least 150kg; and

of a type approved by the registrar; and

bolted to the structure of the registered premises for the firearm; and

fitted with an alarm of a type approved by the registrar that—

is monitored at a place separate from the registered premises; and

is separate from an alarm for the registered premises; and

locked at all times except when accessed for the purpose of distributing a firearm; and

the registered premises must be approved by the registrar for storing the firearms.

If more than 5, but not more than 15, registered firearms are held under the licence—

when a firearm is not being used or carried, it must be—

stored in a safe of a type that meets the requirements mentioned in paragraph (b); and

fitted with a trigger or barrel lock that prevents the firearm from being discharged; and

secured individually on, or in, a locked device within the safe; and

the safe must be—

a steel safe weighing at least 500kg; and

of a type approved by the registrar; and

bolted to the structure of the registered premises for the firearm; and

fitted with an alarm of a type approved by the registrar that—

is monitored at a place separate from the registered premises; and

is separate from an alarm for the registered premises; and

locked at all times except when accessed for the purpose of distributing a firearm; and

fitted with 15-minute time delay locks; and

the registered premises must be approved by the registrar for storing the firearms.

If more than 15 registered firearms are held under the licence—

when a firearm is not being used or carried, it must be—

stored in—

a safe of a type that meets the requirements mentioned in paragraph (b); or

within a vault or control room of a type approved by the registrar; and

fitted with a trigger or barrel lock that prevents the firearm from being discharged; and

secured individually on, or in, a locked device within the safe, or vault or control room; and

if a safe is used to store the firearms, the safe must be—

a steel safe, weighing at least 500kg, of a type approved by the registrar; and

bolted to the structure of the registered premises for the firearm; and

fitted with an alarm of a type approved by the registrar that—

is monitored at a place separate from the registered premises; and

is separate from an alarm for the registered premises; and

locked at all times except when accessed for the purpose of distributing a firearm; and

the registered premises must be approved by the registrar for storing the firearms.

The registrar must not approve registered premises for storing registered firearms under the licence unless—

the registrar is satisfied that the premises are capable of being secured to prevent unauthorised entry; and

the premises have an intruder alarm system that is monitored at a place separate from the registered premises in a way that the registrar considers appropriate; and

if the registrar considers it necessary—the premises have a duress facility that is monitored at a place separate from the premises in a way that the registrar considers appropriate; and

the registrar is satisfied that premises are suitable for the nature of the use of the firearm by the licensee; and

the registrar is otherwise satisfied that the premises are suitable for use as a place for the safe storage of firearms.