|
|
 |
 |
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE VICTORIA
AMNESTY IN RESPECT OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE FIREARMS ACT 1996
The Acting Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Mr John Lenders, MP and the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police, Ms Christine Nixon, announce that an amnesty will be in force in Victoria:
1. from 1 January 2004 until 1 September 2004 in respect of:
* the requirement for the installation of a monitored alarm system of a class approved by the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police under section 122(1) of the Firearms Act 1996 ("Act"); and
* the requirement under section 7B of the Act for registration in respect of general category handguns:
- manufactured before 1900; and
- that use percussion or a means developed after the develpoment of percussion as a means of ignition; and
2. from 1 January 2004 until 29 February 2004 in respect of the requirements under section 21A of the Act that firearms collectors obtain a Category 2 Firearms Licence to possess or carry handguns manufactured on or after 1 January 1947 for the purpose of collecting any such handguns.
The requirements referred to above are new requirements which take effect on 1 January 2004 as a result of amendments to the Act by the Firearms (Trafficking and Handguns Control) Act 2003 ("Amending Act"), which implemented in Victoria the National Handgun Control Agreement entered into by the Commonwealth and all States and Territories following the shootings at Monash University in 2002.
Amnesty in respect of the installation of monitored alarms
Victoria Police has only recently finalised its policy in respect of the class of monitored alarm system that will be required to be installed under section 122(1) of the Act. The aim of this amnesty is to allow sufficient time for Victoria Police to inform firearms owneres of this policy and enable those firearms owners affected by the new requirement to arrange for the installation of an approved monitored alarm in compliance with the Act.
Amnesty in respect of the registration of pre-1900 percussion/post-percussion handguns
Prior to the amendments to the Act made by the Amending Act, almost all handguns manufactured prior to 1900 were not subject to the licensing and registration requirements contained in the Act. As a result of the changes made by the Amending Act, all handguns other than pre-percussion handguns manufactured before 1900 will be subject to the licensing and registration requirements of the Act. The Victoria Government recognises that this is a substantial change and one that will affect many handguns owners. The amnesty is intended to allow a reasonable period of time for those persons to make the necessary arrangements to comply with the new requirements or to dispose of their handguns in the manner permitted by the Act.
Amnesty in respect of the requirement for a Category 2 Firearms Collectors Licence
The amendments to the Act made by the Amending Act introduce a two-tiered licensing regime for handgun collectors. A person wishing to possess or carry handguns manufactured before 1 January 1947 for the purpose of collecting must hold a Category 1 Firearms Collectors Licence. A person wishing to possess or carry handguns manufactured after 1 January 1947 for the purpose of collecting will need to obtain a Category 2 Firearms Collectors Licence. Prior to these amendments, a licence was not required for the possesssion or carriage of most types of handguns manufactured before 1900 and, where a licence was required, only one type of firearms collectors licence was required regardless of the date of manufacture of the handgun concerned.
As is the case with the amendment above in respect of the licensing and registration of pre-1900 percussion/post percussion handguns, the Victoria Government recognises that this is a substantial change and one that will affect many handguns collectors. The amnesty is intended to allow a reasonable period of time for these persons to make the necessary arrangements to comply with the new licensing requirements in respect of handguns manufactured after 1 January 1947 or to dispose of their handguns in the manner permitted by the Act.
Immunity from prosecution
For the terms of the amnesty, persons committing offences under the Act which specifically relate to the requirements under the Act referred to above will not be prosecuted if they unlawfully possess or carry handguns contrary to those requirements.
All other actions that are offences under the Act will continue to be treated as offences.
For further information about the amnesty, contact the Licensing Services Branch of Victoria Police on 1300 651 645.
|
|
Home