This
month I want to talk a little about weapons security in the household. I would expect those who currently hold a
weapons licence to be familiar with their obligations under the Weapons Act.
Holders
of weapons licences, and in particular those who store weapons at their homes,
have a responsibility to the community to store those weapons securely, safely
and in line with conditions contained in the Weapons Act and/or to conditions
particular to the individual weapons licence holder themselves.
For most instances, weapons
that are long arms should be secured in lockable receptacles and bolted down to
floors and attached to walls, if appropriate.
The bolts or working mechanisms of those weapons should be removed,
stored and locked away separate from the main body of the weapons.
The
ammunition for the weapons should be likewise stored and secured in a separate
area from the weapons.
For
concealable weapons (ie pistols and revolvers etc) the requirements for storage
and carriage are more stringent, as are the reasons for holding a concealable
weapons licence in the first place.
Holders of concealable firearms to the best of my knowledge are very
particular about how they store, handle and transport their weapons and
personally I have not met a concealable weapons licence holder who is lax in
the way they control their weaponry. And that is not to say most general
weapons licence holders are not the same.
The
keys to the locking mechanism for the weapons safe or the code combination that
gives access to the weapons safe receptacle should not be available to anyone
else except to the weapons licence holder.
The
loss or theft of any registered weapon should immediately be reported to your
local police or to Policelink along with a duly sworn and signed Statutory
Declaration, with all details including how the weapon was lost or stolen, the
calibre, make, model, serial number or standout feature and whether there were
any attachments to the weapon at the time it went missing (ie fitted with telescopic
sights, sling, magazine, etc).
Furthermore,
do not discuss your ownership of weapons with persons who have no business
knowing your circumstances. Do not
discuss the location of weapons safes, ammunition storage facilities or the
location of keys and combination codes to anyone.
If
weapons are removed from gun safes for cleaning or before and after firing same
then immediately after use return them to the gun safe and secure. On several occasions we have attended
addresses and it is a little unnerving to observe weapons lying about the place
and not in direct control of the licence holder. Not to mention it is a breach of the Weapons
Act (insecure weapons). In the past those
weapons licence holders can and have been charged for a breach of the Act. Be aware that police conduct periodic weapons
audits and will be directed by the Queensland Police Weapons Licensing Branch
to physically sight your weapons from time to time.
In
any year a number of weapons are reported lost and stolen around Queensland and
in certain cases these weapons find their way into the hands of the
unscrupulous, criminal, unwashed element in society. The intent of this element in society is
always to the detriment of the rest of us.
Be
nice to each other and stay safe.
Constable
Pete BLUNDELL
NHW
Liaison Officer
