Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Firearms Act 1996 - SCHEDULE 4

STORAGE REQUIREMENTS

1. Longarm licences for category A and B longarms



(1) The firearm must be stored in a receptacle-

   (a)  which is constructed of hard wood or steel that is not easily
        penetrable; and

   (b)  which, if it weighs less than 150 kilograms when it is empty, must be
        fixed to the frame of the floor or the wall of the premises where the
        firearm is kept in such a manner that it is not easily removable; and

   (c)  which, when any firearm is stored in it, is locked with a lock of
        sturdy construction.

(2) If more than 15 firearms are stored on the premises where the firearm is
stored, the premises must be fitted with an intruder alarm system-

   (a)  the installation, maintenance and operation of which complies with
        Australian Standard 2201.1:2007 (as amended from time to time); and

   (b)  which, in the event of an intrusion, activates an audible alarm
        warning device and an external visible alarm warning light.

(3) Any cartridge ammunition for the firearm must be stored in a locked
container separate from the receptacle in which the firearm must be stored.



(4) Subject to section 121, a firearm that is possessed, carried or used by a
holder of a handgun security guard licence who is employed as a security guard
must be stored by the person who employs the holder of the licence as a
security guard at premises belonging to, or occupied by, the employer.

2. Longarm licences for category C or category D longarms and handgun licences
for general category handguns



(1) The firearm must be stored in a steel safe-

   (a)  which is of a thickness that is not easily penetrable; and

   (b)  which, if it weighs less than 150 kilograms when it is empty, must be
        bolted to the structure of the premises where the firearm is
        authorised to be kept; and

   (c)  which, when any firearm is stored in it, is locked.

(2) If more than 15 firearms are stored on the premises where the firearm is
stored, the premises must be fitted with an intruder alarm system-

   (a)  the installation, maintenance and operation of which complies with
        Australian Standard 2201.1:2007 (as amended from time to time); and

   (b)  which, in the event of an intrusion, activates an audible alarm
        warning device and an external visible alarm warning light.

(2A) The key to the container in which the firearm is stored must-

   (a)  be carried by the holder of the licence; or

   (b)  be kept securely in a separate room from the container- when the
        container is not being accessed.

(3) Any cartridge ammunition for the firearm must be stored in a locked
container separate from the safe in which the firearm must be stored.



(4) Subject to section 121, a firearm that is possessed, carried or used by a
holder of a handgun security guard licence who is employed as a security guard
must be stored by the person who employs the holder of the licence as a
security guard at premises belonging to, or occupied by, the employer.

3. Firearms collectors licences



(1) The firearm must be stored-

   (a)  on premises or a part of premises which is a permanent building with
        secure locks on all openings; and

   (b)  in a room-

   (i)  the walls of which are solid enough to be a substantial physical
        barrier to entry; and

   (ii) any window of which is covered by security bars; and

   (iii) any door to which is-

                (A)  of a solid material, or is covered by steel sheet or
                     reinforced by firmly fixed steel mesh; and

                (B)  fitted with a lock of the dead latch type or an extra
                     hasp or barrel bolt and padlock which is of such a nature
                     as to reduce the possibility of the door being sprung
                     from the jamb; and

                (C)  hinged with concealed hinge pins or with hinge pins which
                     are welded to prevent the pins being removed; and

   (c)  in a container-

   (i)  which is made of steel or any other robust material; and

   (ii) which must be firmly fixed to the wall or floor of the room; and

   (iii) the doors of which are attached with concealed or welded hinges; and

   (iv) which, when any firearm is stored in it, is locked with a lock which
        is so constructed as to prevent the doors of the container being
        easily sprung.

(2) If-

   (a)  in the case of an antique handgun, more than 15 antique handguns are
        stored on the premises where the handgun is stored; or

   (b)  in any other case, more than 5 firearms are stored on the premises
        where the firearm is stored- the premises must be fitted with an
        intruder alarm system-

   (c)  the installation, maintenance and operation of which complies with
        Australian Standard 2201.1:2007 (as amended from time to time); and

   (d)  which, in the event of an intrusion, activates an audible alarm
        warning device and an external visible alarm warning light..





(2A) The key to the container in which the firearm is stored must-

   (a)  be carried by the holder of the licence; or

   (b)  be kept securely in a separate room from the container- when the
        container is not being accessed.

(3) The firearm must not be removed from the container except by the holder of
the licence.

(4) Any bolt or firing pin which is required to be stored separately from the
firearm it is a part of, must be stored in the same manner as is required for
the storage of a firearm under a longarm licence for a category A or B
longarm.

3A. Firearms collectors licences-section 122(1A)

The firearm must be stored in a receptacle-

   (a)  which is constructed of hard wood or steel that is not easily
        penetrable; and

   (b)  which, if it weighs less than 150 kilograms when it is empty, must be
        fixed to the frame of the floor or the wall of the premises where the
        firearm is kept in such a manner that it is not easily removable; and

   (c)  which when any firearm is stored in it is locked with a lock of sturdy
        construction.

4. Firearms heirlooms licences



(1) The firearm must be stored in a receptacle-

   (a)  which is constructed of hard wood or steel that is not easily
        penetrable; and

   (b)  which, if it weighs less than 150 kilograms when it is empty, must be
        fixed to the frame of the floor or the wall of the premises where the
        firearm is kept in such a manner that it is not easily removable; and

   (c)  which, when any firearm is stored in it, is locked with a lock of
        sturdy construction.

(2) Despite paragraph (1) of this item, the firearm may be displayed by being
fixed to the wall of a room in a manner that makes it unable to be readily
removed.

5. Firearms ammunition collectors licences

The ammunition must be stored in a receptacle-

   (a)  which is constructed of hard wood or steel that is not easily
        penetrable; and

   (b)  which, if it weighs less than 150 kilograms when it is empty, must be
        fixed to the frame of the floor or the wall of the premises where the
        ammunition is kept in such a manner that it is not easily removable;
        and

   (c)  which, when any ammunition is stored in it, is locked with a lock made
        of sturdy construction. ---------------