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FIREARMS ACT 1996

Table of Provisions

PART 1--PRELIMINARY

  • 1 Name of Act  
  • 2 Dictionary  
  • 3 Notes  
  • 4 Offences against Act—application of Criminal Code etc  

PART 2--IMPORTANT CONCEPTS

  • 5 Principles and objects of Act  
  • 6 Meaning of firearm  
  • 7 Meaning of prohibited firearm  
  • 8 Meaning of acquire  
  • 9 Meaning of dispose  
  • 10 Meaning of possession  
  • 11 Evidence of possession—firearms at premises  
  • 12 Evidence of possession—care, control or management of  
  • 13 Taking possession under credit contract  
  • 14 Authority to possess and use firearms temporarily  
  • 15 Paintball markers—authority to possess, use or store  
  • 16 Meaning of close associate of firearms dealer etc  
  • 17 Assessing suitability of individuals  
  • 18 Assessing suitability of individuals—discretionary criteria  
  • 18A Protection of security sensitive information  
  • 18B ACAT or court review—decision on security sensitive  
  • 18C ACAT or court review—dealing with security sensitive  
  • 19 Assessing suitability of individuals—mandatory criteria  
  • 20 Approval of courses etc by registrar  

PART 3--OPERATION OF ACT

PART 4--UNREGULATED FIREARMS

PART 5--DECLARATIONS ABOUT FIREARMS

  • 31 Firearms declarations by registrar  
  • 32 Effect of certain declarations  

PART 6--ADMINISTRATION

  • 33 Registrar of firearms  
  • 34 Functions of registrar  
  • 35 Delegation by registrar  
  • 36 Reports and recommendations  
  • 37 Minister's guidelines  
  • 38 Amnesty  
  • 39 Authorised instructors and club members  
  • 40 Approval of clubs  
  • 41 Registrar's approval to possess ammunition as collector  

PART 7--FIREARMS LICENCES

Division 7.1--Requirement for licence etc

  • 42 Offence—unauthorised possession or use of prohibited firearms  
  • 43 Offence—unauthorised possession or use of firearms other than prohibited  
  • 44 Alternative verdicts—unauthorised possession or use of firearms  
  • 45 Offence—contravention of condition by licensee etc  

Division 7.2--Licensing schemes—general

  • 46 Definitions of some licences—Act  
  • 47 Offence—notice of lost, stolen and destroyed licences  
  • 48 Offence—failing to surrender firearms when licence suspended or cancelled  
  • 49 Offence—failure to give up suspended or cancelled licence  
  • 50 Police may seize firearms under suspended and cancelled licences  
  • 51 Licence renewals to be treated as fresh applications  
  • 52 Licence categories, kinds and authority conferred by licence  
  • 53 Authority conferred by licence—additional matters  

Division 7.3--Licensing scheme—adult firearms licences

  • 54 Adult firearms licences—applications  
  • 55 Adult firearms licences—registrar to tell applicant about training  
  • 56 Adult firearms licences—requirement for further information  
  • 57 Adult firearms licences—decision  
  • 58 Adult firearms licences—refusal  
  • 59 Adult firearms licences—categories  
  • 60 When adult firearms licences may be issued  
  • 61 Adult firearms licences—genuine reasons to possess or use  
  • 62 Adult firearms licences—no genuine reason to possess or use  
  • 63 Adult firearms licences—restriction on issue of category B  
  • 64 Adult firearms licences—restriction on issue of category C  
  • 65 Adult firearms licences—restriction on issue of category D  
  • 66 Adult firearms licences—restriction on issue of category H  
  • 67 Adult firearms licences—restriction on issue of collectors  
  • 68 Adult firearms licences—restrictions on issue of heirlooms  
  • 69 Adult firearms licences—restrictions on issue of firearms dealer  
  • 70 Adult firearms licences—restrictions on issue of paintball marker  
  • 71 Adult firearms licences—form  
  • 72 Adult firearms licences—replacements  
  • 73 Adult firearms licences—conditions  
  • 74 Adult firearms licences—special conditions of category D  
  • 75 Adult firearms licences—special conditions for category H licences for  
  • 76 Adult firearms licences—special conditions for collectors  
  • 77 Adult firearms licences—special conditions for paintball marker  
  • 78 Adult firearms licences—period in force  
  • 79 Adult firearms licences—immediate suspension  
  • 80 Adult firearms licences—mandatory suspension for family violence  
  • 81 Adult firearms licences—cancellation generally  
  • 81A Adult firearms licences—reconsideration of suitability of licensee under certain  
  • 82 Adult firearms licences—cancellation of category H licences  
  • 83 Adult firearms licences—when suspension or cancellation takes  

Division 7.4--Licensing scheme—minors firearms licences

  • 84 Children prohibited from owning firearms  
  • 85 Minors firearms licences—applications  
  • 86 Minors firearms licences—requirement for further information  
  • 87 Minors firearms licences—decision  
  • 88 Minors firearms licences—refusal  
  • 89 Minors firearms licences—categories  
  • 90 When minors firearms licences may be issued  
  • 91 Minors firearms licences—genuine reasons to possess or use  
  • 92 Minors firearms licences—form  
  • 93 Minors firearms licences—replacements  
  • 94 Minors firearms licences—conditions  
  • 95 Minors firearms licences—period in force  
  • 96 Minors firearms licences—immediate suspension  
  • 97 Minors firearms licences—mandatory suspension if family violence  
  • 98 Minors firearms licences—cancellation  
  • 98A Minors firearms licences—reconsideration of suitability of licensee under certain  
  • 99 Minors firearms licences—when suspension or cancellation takes  

Division 7.5--Licensing scheme—composite entity firearms licences

  • 100 Definitions—Act  
  • 101 Composite entity firearms licences—applications  
  • 102 Composite entity firearms licences—requirement for further information  
  • 103 Composite entity firearms licences—decision  
  • 104 Composite entity firearms licences—refusal  
  • 105 Composite entity firearms licences—categories  
  • 106 Composite entity firearms licence—principal's name  
  • 107 When composite entity firearms licences may be issued  
  • 108 Composite entity firearms licences—genuine reasons to possess or use  
  • 109 Composite entity firearms licences—no genuine reason to possess or use  
  • 110 Composite entity firearms licences—restriction on issue of category B  
  • 111 Composite entity firearms licences—restriction on issue of category C  
  • 112 Composite entity firearms licences—restriction on issue of category D  
  • 113 Composite entity firearms licences—restriction on issue of category H  
  • 114 Composite entity firearms licences—form  
  • 115 Composite entity firearms licences—replacements  
  • 116 Composite entity firearms licences—conditions  
  • 117 Composite entity firearms licences—period in force  
  • 118 Composite entity firearms licences—immediate suspension  
  • 119 Composite entity firearms licences—mandatory suspension for family violence  
  • 120 Composite entity firearms licences—cancellation  
  • 121 Composite entity firearms licences—when suspension or cancellation takes  

Division 7.6--Licensing scheme—temporary international firearms licences

  • 122 Meaning of foreign firearms licence—div 7.6  
  • 123 Temporary international firearms licences—applications  
  • 124 Temporary international firearms licences—requirement for further information  
  • 125 Temporary international firearms licences—decision  
  • 126 Temporary international firearms licences—refusal  
  • 127 When temporary international firearms licences may be issued  
  • 128 Temporary international firearms licences—genuine reasons to possess or use  
  • 129 Temporary international firearms licences—form  
  • 130 Temporary international firearms licences—conditions  
  • 131 Temporary international firearms licences—period in force  
  • 132 Temporary international firearms licences—cancellation  
  • 133 Temporary international firearms licences—when cancellation takes  

PART 8--TEMPORARY RECOGNITION OF INTERSTATE LICENCES AND PERMITS

  • 134 Definitions—pt 8  
  • 135 Temporary recognition of interstate licences—declaration of licence  
  • 136 Temporary recognition of interstate licences—general  
  • 137 Temporary recognition of interstate category C licences  
  • 138 Interstate residents moving to ACT—category A, B, and paintball marker  
  • 139 Interstate residents moving to ACT—category C and H licences  
  • 140 Temporary recognition of interstate licences for international visitors—shooting or  
  • 140A Temporary recognition of interstate category D licences—vertebrate pest animal  

PART 9--PERMITS GENERALLY

  • 141 General power to issue permits  

PART 10--PERMITS TO ACQUIRE FIREARMS

PART 11--REGISTRATION OF FIREARMS AND FIREARM USERS

Division 11.1--Interpretation

  • 155 Meaning of owner and user particulars—pt 11  

Division 11.2--Register of firearms

  • 156 Register of firearms  
  • 157 Contents of register  
  • 158 Register not available to public  
  • 159 Two-yearly reviews  

Division 11.3--Registration of firearms

Division 11.4--Registration of firearms users

  • 168 User registration—application  
  • 169 User registration—request for further information etc  
  • 170 User registration—decision  
  • 171 User registration—refusal  
  • 172 Effect of registration as user  
  • 173 User registration—period in force  
  • 174 Automatic cancellation of user registration  
  • 175 Automatic cancellation of user registration—certain registered  

Division 11.5--Offences—registration

  • 176 Offence—failing to notify event causing cancellation of user registration  
  • 177 Offence—unregistered firearms  
  • 178 Offence—requirements relating to registered firearms  
  • 179 Offence—possessing firearm under another licence  

PART 12--SAFE STORAGE OF FIREARMS

  • 180 Offence—failing to comply with storage requirements  
  • 181 Offence—storage requirements for category A, category B and paintball marker  
  • 182 Offence—storage requirements for category C, D and H licences  
  • 183 Seizure of firearms if storage requirements not met  

PART 13--FIREARMS DEALERS

Division 13.1--Interpretation

  • 184 Meaning of prohibited person—pt 13  

Division 13.2--Licences and licensed firearms dealers

  • 185 Offence—firearms dealers to be licensed  
  • 186 Information about close associates of certain firearms dealers  
  • 187 Meaning of prohibited person for licensed firearms dealers  
  • 188 Registrar's statement whether person prohibited—application  
  • 189 Registrar's statement whether person prohibited  
  • 190 Offence—prohibited person not to be involved in firearms dealing business  
  • 191 Offence—restrictions on acquisition and disposal of firearms by firearms dealers  

Division 13.3--Licensed firearms dealers—records and returns

  • 192 Definitions—div 13.3  
  • 193 Offence—records generally  
  • 194 Acquisition and disposal—records  
  • 195 Correction of recorded entries  
  • 196 Offence—inspection of records  
  • 197 Offence—records of former firearms dealers  
  • 198 Offence—monthly returns  
  • 199 Additional requirements for firearms dealers  
  • 200 Security of displayed firearms  
  • 201 Interstate transactions between dealers  

PART 14--ENFORCEMENT

Division 14.1--Interpretation

  • 202 Meaning of offence—pt 14  

Division 14.2--Powers of police officers

  • 203 Power to enter premises  
  • 204 Production of evidence of identity  
  • 205 Consent to entry  
  • 206 General powers on entry to premises  
  • 207 Powers on entry—condition  
  • 208 Offences—noncompliance with directions and requirements  
  • 209 Power to seize things  
  • 210 Receipt for things seized  

Division 14.3--Search warrants

  • 211 Warrants generally  
  • 212 Warrants—application made other than in person  
  • 213 Search warrants—announcement before entry  
  • 214 Details of search warrant to be given to occupier etc  
  • 215 Occupier entitled to be present during search etc  

Division 14.4--Things seized

  • 216 Access to things seized  
  • 217 Return or forfeiture of things seized  

Division 14.5--Enforcement—miscellaneous

  • 218 Damage etc to be minimised  
  • 219 Compensation for exercise of enforcement powers  

PART 15--OFFENCES

  • 220 Offences—trafficking firearms  
  • 221 Discharge etc of firearm—public places etc  
  • 222 Discharge of firearm—general  
  • 223 Carriage or use of firearm—improper manner  
  • 224 Offences—operation of shooting ranges  
  • 225 Offences—operation of paintball ranges  
  • 226 Offence—unlawful disposal of firearms  
  • 227 Offence—unlawful acquisition of firearms  
  • 228 Offence—unauthorised manufacture of firearms  
  • 229 Use of mail for sending firearms  
  • 230 Use of mail for sending firearms outside ACT  
  • 231 Advertising sale of firearms  
  • 232 Means of delivering possession of firearms  
  • 233 Transport of firearms and ammunition  
  • 234 Transporting prohibited firearms or pistols  
  • 235 Possession of spare barrels for firearms  
  • 236 On-the-spot inspection of firearms by police  
  • 237 Offence—disposal of firearms by unauthorised holders generally  
  • 238 Offence—disposal of inherited firearms  
  • 239 Unsafe firearms  
  • 240 Shortening firearms  
  • 241 Converting firearms  
  • 242 Restrictions where alcohol or other drugs concerned  
  • 243 Offence—selling ammunition generally  
  • 244 Offence—sale of ammunition by licensed firearms dealers  
  • 245 Offence—sale of ammunition by authorised club members  
  • 246 Offence—selling ammunition to people from outside ACT  
  • 247 Offence—selling ammunition for starting pistols  
  • 248 Offence—acquiring ammunition  
  • 249 Offence—possessing ammunition generally  
  • 250 Modification of firearms  
  • 251 Approval of modifications  
  • 252 Offences—defacing, altering and removing identification marks  
  • 253 Pawning of firearms  
  • 254 Production of licence or permit on demand  
  • 255 Requirement to notify change of address  
  • 256 Misuse of licences and permits  
  • 257 Offence—lost, stolen or destroyed firearms  

PART 16--NOTIFICATION AND REVIEW OF DECISIONS

  • 258 Meaning of reviewable decision—pt 16  
  • 260 Reviewable decision notices  
  • 260A Applications for review  

PART 17--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

  • 261 Disclosure by health professionals of certain information  
  • 262 Destruction or disposal of seized or surrendered firearms  
  • 263 Disposal of uncollected firearms  
  • 264 Certificates of safety  
  • 265 Acts and omissions of representatives  
  • 266 Third-party interests—complaints to registrar  
  • 267 Investigations  
  • 268 Offences by corporations  
  • 269 Evidentiary certificates  
  • 270 Determination of fees  
  • 271 Approved forms  
  • 272 Regulation-making power  
  • 273 Licensing of entities to operate approved shooting ranges  
  • 274 Licensing of entities to operate approved paintball ranges  
  • 275 Authorised possession or use of prohibited firearms with pistol grips for sport or target  

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