Effective 4 December 2017 – Firearm Storage Requirements

For firearms licence holders, excluding dealers, who are bound by s 87 of the Firearms Act 1996:

General

If a firearm or firearm part is not being used, maintained, or conveyed it must be stored in a locked receptacle:

  • Receptacles must not be easily penetrable;
  • Receptacles must be made:
    • (a) of metal at least 2mm thick for Category A or B firearms or firearms parts;
    • (b) of metal at least 3mm thick for Category C, D and H firearms or firearms parts; or
    • (c) of concrete;
  • Receptacles that weigh less than 150 kilograms (when empty) must be fixed by masonry fixing bolts or coach screws (as appropriate):
    • (a) at least twice to a wall and at least twice to the floor; or
    • (b) at least four times to either a wall or the floor;
    • in a manner that prevents easy removal;
  • The lock on the receptacle must be an internal locking mechanism.
  • The receptacle must have:
    • (a) an internal hinging mechanism; or
    • (b) a mechanism that, when the receptacle is locked, would prevent the door from being opened if the hinges were removed.

Ammunition

If not being used or conveyed, any ammunition must be stored in a locked receptacle that is:

  • (a) separate from, or a separate compartment to, any receptacle in which a firearm is stored; and
  • (b) keyed with a different lock to any firearms storage;
  • or in a manner that is approved by the Commissioner.

Additional Requirements for Category H Firearms or Where 10 or More Firearms are Stored

Where any Category H firearms, or 10 or more firearms of any category, are stored at a premises, the premises or storage receptacle must be equipped with an electronic security device that is:

  • (a) designed to prevent, detect or deter any unauthorised entry;
  • (b) capable of detecting any unauthorised entry; and
  • (c) maintained and in proper working order.

The electronic security device may be either an alarm or a visual recording device, and:

  • (a) if an alarm, must be either audible or monitored; or
  • (b) if a visual recording device:
    • must record to a storage device any activity where the receptacle is located;
    • the storage device must not be located near the receptacle; and
    • the recorded visual recordings must be of sufficient quality to identify people in the vicinity of the receptacle.

Alternative Standards

As is currently the case, the Commissioner may also continue to approve alternative firearms storage arrangements where he or she is satisfied that the alternative arrangements provide a greater standard of security than the requirements prescribed above.