Arms Act and Spring Powered Rifle

Forums › Off topic › Arms Act and Spring Powered Rifle

kingjj

1730 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 450

ID Verified

Trusted

#62708 13-Jun-2010 12:27

Does anyone know the conditions around possessing a spring powered pellet rifle? It is not a gas powered air rifle as is covered under the Arms Act 1983 which requires a Firearms Licence.

I have just confiscated a spring powered pellet rifle from a youth family member and am looking for the relevant law around either A) storing it for later disposal or B) disposing of it asap. I know that some spring loaded pellet rifles can be considered an offensive weapon and I would really rather not be in possession of this item, however if it is legal for me to store it in a disabled state I would prefer to do that for the time being. I have no ammo for it and have disabled the mechanism.

Am I breaking the law by having possession of this item presently? (I do not have a Firearms Licence) If so can I hand it in to the Police for them to dispose of it?

Thanks

crazed

484 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 26

Trusted

#341165 13-Jun-2010 12:30

By Spring powered do you mean a BB Softair Rifle? Does it fire Metal or Plastic(?) BB's?

CraZeD,
Your friendly Southern Geeky Fellow :P

kingjj

1730 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 450

ID Verified

Trusted

#341167 13-Jun-2010 12:36

crazed: By Spring powered do you mean a BB Softair Rifle? Does it fire Metal or Plastic(?) BB's?

I don't know, I couldn't find any ammo for it and the owner is not available to tell me. I don't know anything about weapons.

k1wi

484 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 111

#341168 13-Jun-2010 12:38

Drop into your local Police station, though I would probably avoid walking in holding the pellet rifle, they might get the wrong idea at first ;)

They will be able to advise you on your situation. If need be, take a photo of it and it's firing mechanisim (if you can).

kingjj

1730 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 450

ID Verified

Trusted

#341170 13-Jun-2010 12:39

k1wi: Drop into your local Police station, though I would probably avoid walking in holding the pellet rifle, they might get the wrong idea at first ;)

They will be able to advise you on your situation.

Never a bad idea! I have to call them today anyway so I will ask.

Cheers

vinnieg

2260 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#341173 13-Jun-2010 12:44

Yeah spring loaded are apparently under the same class as air guns:

The misuse of airguns, particularly BB guns that have the appearance of real firearms, is an ongoing issue for police. Police dealing with young people in particular in possession of airguns will question the young person to ascertain where they obtained the airgun.

Sometimes referred to as 'soft air' guns because they fire plastic pellets, BB guns are not toys. A spring-loaded ram compresses air that expels the pellet, making BB guns airguns by law covered by the provisions of the Arms Act 1983.

Possession and use
If under the age of 18 years and not the holder of a firearms licence the possession of an airgun is unlawful unless under the immediate supervision of a person over the age of 18 years or a person who holds a firearms licence (section 21).

Airguns may not be carried with criminal intent (section 55), and may only be carried for lawful and sufficient purpose (section 45). They may not be presented at another person, irrespective of whether they are loaded or not (section 52). They may not be used carelessly (section 53), nor may they be discharged in or near a dwelling house or public place so as to damage property or endanger, annoy or frighten any person (section 48).

A person who has had their firearms licence revoked (section 49A) may not possess an airgun.

Airguns may only be sold by a dealer licensed under the Arms Act 1983. It is an offence to sell or supply an airgun to a person under the age of 18 years and is not the holder of a firearms licence (section 43).

I have moved across the ditch. Now residing in Melbourne as a VOIP/Video Technical Trainer/Engineer.

kingjj

1730 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 450

ID Verified

Trusted

#341174 13-Jun-2010 12:46

So if I understand that correctly it is not illegal for me to have possession of the rifle as I am over 18 and as such don't require a firearms licence for that particular weapon?

Dell

Shop now for Dell laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

vinnieg

2260 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#341180 13-Jun-2010 12:51

That would be correct :)

Just wrap it in a box or a cricket bag and notify them before you walk into the station :)

I have moved across the ditch. Now residing in Melbourne as a VOIP/Video Technical Trainer/Engineer.

kingjj

1730 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 450

ID Verified

Trusted

#341190 13-Jun-2010 13:02

vinnieg: That would be correct :)

Just wrap it in a box or a cricket bag and notify them before you walk into the station :)

Ha, very good advice! Cheers, I will give it to the Police and they can get rid of it.

SepticSceptic

2263 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 779

Trusted

#341264 13-Jun-2010 17:27

kingjj: I have just confiscated a spring powered pellet rifle from a youth family member and am looking for the relevant law around either

Can I ask why you confiscated the rifle ?

Understandable if the family member was being bit of a idiot and pinging siblings or family pets.

The pistol versions are generally easily available in the $2 shops. Though you woud be lucky to get 6 ft with one of those ;-(

kingjj

1730 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 450

ID Verified

Trusted

#341275 13-Jun-2010 18:03

SepticSceptic:
kingjj: I have just?confiscated?a spring powered pellet rifle from a youth family member and am looking for the?relevant?law around either

?

Can I ask why you confiscated the rifle ?

Understandable if the family member was being bit of a idiot and pinging siblings or family pets.

The pistol versions are generally easily available in the $2 shops. Though you woud be lucky to get 6 ft with one of those ;-(

For reasons that include alcohol and the old bill. His mum didn't want it in the house either.

Bought a pistol version for myself a few years ago, it easily shot up to 10 metres and was rather painful in the hands of my flatmates. Thankfully it didn't last very long either!