This is our comprehensive guide to gun storage safety for each state in Australia but we know it changes with different political and social changes but as of the date of this blog being written, these were correct.
Installation; Consideration should be given to the positioning & mounting of the safe. The safe should be positioned in a way that makes it difficult to jemmy open. For example, a safe placed in a corner with the lock closest to the wall would be more difficult to cut or jimmy open
QLD Gun Storage Requirement
For Category A, B and C firearms: Rigid structure refers to the strength of the container and the use of reasonable force to the sides or top of the container should not result in deflections of the panel or the container. If the container used for storing these firearms weighs less than 150kg, it must be securely fixed to the frame or floor of a permanent building; The container must have a sturdy combination lock, keyed lock or keyed padlock;
Safe keeping of Category D, H firearms including the container must of a rigid structure, made of solid steel; • Be bolted to the frame or floor of a permanent building; • The container must have a sturdy combination lock, keyed lock or keyed padlock; • The container must be locked other than for the time to remove/replace firearm; and • Firearms must be unloaded and the action broken for storage.
Ammunition must be stored in a secure container or secured area that is separate from the container that holds the firearms.
More detail on Storage Requirements.
NSW Gun Safes Storage
A / B Category Gun Safes Storage; [Safe Storage Level 1] if the receptacle weighs less than 150 kilograms when empty, it must be fixed in order to prevent its easy removal. * The locks must be of solid metal and be of a type approved by the Commissioner. * Any ammunition for the firearm must be stored in a separate locked container to the firearms.
Anchoring a Safe to floor and/or wall, must be attached by at least four (4) masonry anchors 90mm in length and 10mm in diameter internally fitted through holes in the rear and/or base of the container, securing it to the floor and/or wall.
When mounted onto main wall studs, it should be fitted flush against the wall and secured to the wall studs and/or floor joists by four (4) galvanized hexagon head coach screws, not less than 65mm in length and 8mm in diameter. The receptacle should be mounted flush with the floor and/or wall.
Gun Safe requirements; 3 locks to secure the body to the door
C, D, H Category Gun Safe Storage, [Safe Storage Level 2]are the same as the A/B but the only difference is no matter the weight of the safe; the safe must be bolted to the structure of the premises where the firearm is authorised to be kept. For more details.
SA Gun Storage Requirements
If your firearms are all category A and B firearms:
Level 1 Safe = when you safe is stored in the house, the body and door are made of structural grade mild steel of a thickness of not less than 2 millimetres.
Level 2 Safe = when you have the safe in an ‘outbuilding’ meaning not part of the main house; body and door made of structural grade mild steel of a thickness of not less than 2 millimetres.
If any of the firearms include a category C, D or H firearm then all firearms in your possession must be stored in a Level 2 safe.
A safe that weighs less than 150 kilograms when empty must be bolted to a solid concrete, brick, metal or timber floor, wall or other permanent internal structure of the building or outbuilding with at least two solid anchor bolts. Firearms can no longer be stored in timber containers or chained to walls.
Victoria Safe Storage Requirements
Category A/B Safe; which is constructed of hardwood wood or steel that is not easily penetrable;
Category C/D/H Safe; which is constructed of steel that is not easily penetrable;
The rest of the details for storage applies to all categories; Ammunition must be separate to the firearms, under 150kgs must be bolted to the floor or wall/both. If you purchase a safe with a key, this must be stored on your person or in a room separate to the safe.
If you own more than 15 firearms you are required to also have an Alarm System installed that notifies you when there is an intruder at your home/business.
Tasmanian Gun Storage Requirements
The safe must not be easily penetrable
Receptacles must be made of:
- (a) of metal at least 2mm thick for Category A or B firearms or firearms parts;
- (b) of metal at least 3mm thick for Category C, D and H firearms or firearms parts; or
- (c) of concrete;
- must have an internal hinging mechanism; that prevents the doors from being removed for access.
Safes that weigh less than 150 kilograms must be bolted down by either;
- (a) at least twice to a wall and at least twice to the floor; or
- (b) at least four times to either a wall or the floor;
- in a manner that prevents easy removal;
NT Gun Safe Storage Requirements
Category A/B Firearms;
- All edges must be rolled/folded and the door recessed (or flush fitted) and sized to prevent leverage points.
- All hinges must be secured so that removal of the pin will not allow the door to displace. Internal or trap style hinges are recommended.
- Provision for at least two bolt down points (four recommended).
- Two internal locking points. Where dual locks fitted – sufficient separation between the locks to prevent distortion of the door if a forced entry is attempted.
- If the receptacle weights more than 150kg when empty it does not need to be bolted to wall or floor.
Category C/D/H Firearms;
- Minimum metal thickness on door of not less than 6mm. Minimum thickness of remainder of cabinet not less than 3mm (subject to individual inspection and approval). Recommended thickness is 6mm all over.
- All hinges must be non-removable, constructed in such a manner as to prevent easy breaching. Safe style hinges are preferred.
- Locks must be ‘Safe’ quality, either combination/key/electronic or a combination of above. Small pistol cabinets may have a single lock. All long arm cabinets must have at least two locks.
- Safe must be fixed to the wall of floor to prevent its easy removal.
More details.
Western Australia Gun Safe Requirements
Safe construction requirements;
- The cabinet or container is to be constructed of mild steel that is 2 mm thick.
- Doors are to be recessed into the surrounding frame with margins of not more than 4 mm.
- Hinge protection is to be provided in such a way that, if the hinges are removed, the door of the cabinet or container remains in place and locked.
- If the swinging edge of the door is not longer than 500 mm, one lock is required with a locking point half way along that edge.
- The cabinet or container is to be securely anchored from the inside at 2 points on each of 2 separate surfaces to 2 immovable structural surfaces by means of 8 mm x 75 mm masonry fixing bolts or coach screws, as is appropriate.
Ok so this is a brief outline of the details that are outlined on the WA Police website. More details.
Penalties for non-compliance per state;
QLD = Penalties of up to a $10,000 fine or 2 years imprisonment apply under section 60 of the Weapons Act 1990 (Qld). A conviction for a weapons offence is a disqualifying offence for holding a firearm licence for 5 years.
WA = Under the Firearms Regulations 1974 11A (1),
“a person entitled to possess firearms or ammunition of any kind is to ensure that the firearms or ammunition are stored in accordance with this regulation”.
In compliance with this regulation, a firearm licence applicant is required to submit a statement detailing their proposed storage facilities to the WA Police.
This statement, (Statutory Declaration Form 22) will form as part of the firearm licence application process and the declaration is to be provided on request prior to finalisation of the licence assessment. (See 11A and 11C of the Firearms Regulations 1974).
Failure to comply would result in refusal and/or revocation of firearm licences.
NT = Different Licenses and their enforcementsTas = ‘Executive’ style safes similar to those pictured on the Executive style safes – compliance issues for firearms storage advice document are currently being sold in some retail outlets in Tasmania and also via the internet.
Tasmania Police Firearms Services has identified that some safes of this type, mainly imported from China and fitted with aPIN-activated keypad panel and/or handle that is NOT flush mounted, MAY NOT be suitable for the storage of firearms.
Some Useful Links for further research;
All Categories of Firearms explained in great detail; QLD Police
Firearms Act that applies Australia Wide [Mostly]
Firearms Act SA
The main variables are around the types of safes, some states require an alarm system to support the safe, safes owned by two different people need to be in their own compartment in the safe = double door gun safe [Victorian policy].
Hope this helps, this took days to curate all this information, let us know if there is more you need to know. Comment below.
We will be continually updating this blog to reflect changes and any information we may have missed.
Tips to remember when considering storage facilities:
- Be mindful of the location for firearm/ammunition cabinets! Do not place them at obvious locations where it is easily identified. A garage IS NOT a recommended location!
- Be mindful of anchoring and fixing bolts when installing firearm storages or containers.
- Consider installing a security alarm to cover the cabinet/storage/container location.
