Australian Capital Territory Consolidated Acts

FIREARMS ACT 1996 - SECT 5

    (1)         The underlying principles of this Act are—

        (a)     to confirm firearm possession and use as being a privilege that is conditional on the overriding need to ensure public safety; and

        (b)     to improve public safety—

              (i)     by imposing strict controls on the possession and use of firearms; and

              (ii)     by promoting the safe and responsible storage and use of firearms; and

        (c)     to facilitate a national approach to the control of firearms.

    (2)         The objects of this Act are as follows:

        (a)     to prohibit the possession and use of all automatic firearms, self-loading rifles and shotguns (including pump action shotguns), except in special circumstances;

        (b)     to establish an integrated licensing and registration scheme for all firearms;

        (c)     to require each person who possesses or uses a firearm under the authority of a licence to establish a genuine reason for possessing or using the firearm;

        (d)     to provide strict requirements that must be satisfied in relation to the licensing of firearms and the acquisition and sales of firearms;

        (e)     to ensure that firearms are stored and conveyed in a safe and secure manner;

        (f)     to provide for an amnesty period to enable the surrender of certain prohibited firearms.