New laws to crack down on the use of imitation
Murray Valley Standard, Page 8. Tuesday, 13 October 2009
Carrying or using an unregistered or unauthorised imitation firearm is now an offence, with a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment, under new laws passed by the State Government.
The Governor in Executive Council signed the regulatory changes to the Firearms Act 1977.
Police Minister Michael Wright said the changes meant imitation firearms were now subject to the same licensing and registration conditions as the firearms they imitated.
“There is a growing trend of imitation firearms being used in violent crimes, including armed robbery, assault and intimidation and we are determined to crackdown on this disturbing behaviour,” he said.
“Those failing to comply with the new laws face up to 15 years in prison or a $75,000 fine.” Knowing the difference between real and imitation firearms could be difficult, even for experts.
A well-crafted imitation could look exactly like a real firearm and trigger the same fear when misused.
The Registrar of Firearms also announced a three-month gun amnesty which will finish at midnight on December 31. During the amnesty people who own or possess firearms (imitation or real), ammunition, a receiver or a firearm part, fitting or mechanism that was not registered or were no longer wanted were encouraged to surrender them at any police station without fear of prosecution.
No compensation for any firearms, firearms parts or ammunition surrendered or seized will be available.
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