Firearms and Weapons Offences charges in Victoria
Firearms and Weapons Offences charges in Victoria
In Victoria, the law strictly regulates the possession, use, purchase, manufacture and supply of firearms and associated components, and prohibited weapons, and imposes harsh penalties on persons charged under relevant legislation.
Firearms
There are many rules which govern the possession and use of firearms in Victoria, which if broken can result in being charged.
Section 6 – A non-prohibited person must not posses, carry or use a category A longarm that is registered unless that person does so under and in accordance with a licence issued under this Part.
Section 7 – A non-prohibited person must not possess, carry or use a registered general category handgun for purposes other than the purpose of collecting handguns, unless that person does so under and in accordance with a licence issued under Division 3 or 5 of this Part.
Firearm offences include:
Possessing a Firearm without a Proper License
Possessing an Unregistered Firearm
This offence is contained under sections 6A and 7A of the Firearms Act (1996).
Possessing Cartridge Ammunition
- the person is a holder of a license under the Act or a permit under section 58A;
- the person is a holder of a license to keep explosives for sale and to sell explosives issued under the Dangerous Goods Act (1985); or
- the person is not required to have a license under the Act in order to possess a firearm.
Carrying or Use a Firearm in a Prohibited Place
- A town
- A populous place
- Any thoroughfare and
- A place that is used by the public for passage with vehicles.
Storing a Firearm or Ammunition in an Insecure Manner
Failure to safely store a firearm or ammunition is an offence under section 129A of the Firearms Act. Depending on whether or not the firearm was licensed and the person properly registered to hold the firearm, this offence carries a maximum penalty of 240 penalty units or 4 years imprisonment.
Prohibited Weapons
Prohibited weapons are those weapons considered inappropriate for general possession listed in the Control of Weapons Act (1990). Special licenses may be obtained to possess these weapons. These include (but are not limited to):
- Taser guns
- Martial arts weapons such as bo-chuks and nunchaku
- Daggers and flick knives
- Crossbows
- Non-metal or ceramic knives
- Throwing blades
- Noxious discharge devices, such as capsicum spray
- Extendable batons and
- Body armour.
The maximum penalty for this offence is 2 years’ imprisonment or 240 penalty units.
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