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Police begin review of Firearms Act

Posted on May 12, 2009, 8:08am and updated on May 13, 2009 at 8:22 am

Reforms have been proposed to South Australia’s 30-year-old Firearms Act to “decriminalise the legitimate firearms owner and simplify laws”, according to police Firearms Branch policy project officer Stuart Anderson.

The state’s Firearms Legislative Advisory Group has invited public submissions on a review of the Act, which was last updated in 1977.

The Police Minister called for the review in 2006, however the process was delayed due to spate of outlaw motorcycle gang shootings, followed by a crackdown on illegal firearms holders.

This initiated the introduction of an enforcement package in November 2007, including Firearms Prohibition Orders.

The Act will now be reviewed in consultation with the state’s 60,000 licensed shooters, 280 dealers, 200 gun clubs and the general public.

According to Gambier Shooting Supplies owner Ian Lambert, public input will ensure the Act reflects the views of people from across the spectrum.

Mr Lambert said he received a letter from the police Firearms Branch in March, notifying him of a mid-year meeting where distributors could have their say.

“I haven’t received a deal of information on the review, but I do believe the legislation needs changing,” he said.

“The 28 day cooling-off period on first weapon permits should be freed up and gun licences should expire annually on the licence holder’s birthday.

“With up to five years allowed between renewals, someone could change residence a number of times and a renewal notice might not find them.

“If licence expiration coincided with a person’s birth date it would minimise the risk of a firearms holder being caught unlicensed, which is a serious offence.”

Mr Lambert said regulations concerning the correct storage of firearms also needed to be clarified.

He said a common misconception was that guns must be stored in a locked safe, but this was not currently stipulated.

“At the moment people can keep their guns in a locked hardwood cabinet as long as it’s bolted to a wall,” he said.

“The law says ammunition needs to be kept in a locked container separate to the firearms, but nothing states it must also be attached to the wall; it might be in a toolbox.

“Also, many farmers will have their guns properly locked in a shed but store an oxy torch or angle grinder next to it.”

Mr Anderson said the types of issues raised by Mr Lambert were of primary concern to the advisory group.

He said the group did not believe imposing “overly stringent” rules on the legitimate user would help reduce gun crimes, but clarifying specific laws and regulations were integral to the review.

Mr Anderson also said tailoring enforcement packages to target criminal behaviour would avoid imposing unnecessary restrictions on licence holders.

“We hope the review will eventually lead to the establishment of national firearms control framework,” he said.

Public submission forms are available from the www.sapolice.sa.gov.au website.

Submissions are expected by July 31, with new legislation to follow up to 18 months later.

ELLIE TURNER

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