Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Firearms Act 1996 - SECT 1

PART 1 PRELIMINARY

Purpose

1. Purpose

The purposes of this Act are-

   (a)  to give effect to the principle that the possession, carriage, use,
        acquisition and disposal of firearms are conditional on the need to
        ensure public safety and peace by-

   (i)  establishing a system of licensing and regulating the possession,
        carriage and use of firearms and related items which does not allow
        for self defence to be used as a reason for obtaining a licence to
        possess, carry or use a firearm; and

   (ii) establishing a system of licensing and regulating the carrying on of
        the business of dealing in firearms; and

   (iii) establishing a system of permitting and regulating the acquisition
        and disposal of firearms and related items; and

   (iv) establishing a system of registering firearms; and

   (v)  establishing requirements for the secure storage and carriage of
        firearms; and

   (vi) establishing a Firearms Appeals Committee to hear applications for
        review of decisions of the Chief Commissioner under the Act; and

   (vii) making provision for the education of the community in the safe and
        responsible use of firearms; and

   (viii) making other related provisions; and

   (b)  to repeal the Firearms Act 1958; and

   (c)  to make various consequential amendments to other Acts.