Posting a Firearm!

[<<Genesis93>>]

Tell that to the railways.... in Vic you can not travel with a gun because you can't carry 'Dangerous goods'..... which THEY classify a gun.... YES, I know....

If they want to have a policy of not carrying firearms that's their prerogative I guess. But I don't think they can simply redefine any object as "Dangerous" and them claim it doesn't comply with the Dangerous Goods Act.

I had a look and they don't refer to the Dangerous Goods Act at all, it's just how they've worded it. I would bet many more people are injured by lots of other crap like bicycles, prams and drug addicts.

"Dangerous goods

Items likely to injure or endanger other persons are not permitted to be carried on passenger vehicles in Victoria.

Examples of such items prohibited from carriage on passenger vehicles include:

Flammable liquids and gases (petrol, kerosene, LPG, propane)
Firearms
Explosives
Corrosive or acidic chemicals"

https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/getting-around/luggage-bikes-and-animals/luggage-allowance/

I have been on a train twice so am probably not an expert.

I don't believe it's their prerogative, not at all, not for a second... because they run the PUBLIC transport system, as such anything lawfully carried SHOULD be permissible on a PUBLIC transport...other than actual DANGEROUS articles...... they can't make up to rules on 'moral' emotive personal or other grounds....

For completeness, here is my brief exchange on the matter with PTV until it got all too hard for their heads to process;

Dear <<Genesis93>>,

Thank you for your feedback regarding the transport of firearms on the V/Line train network.

I understand your frustration and the inconvenience this policy has caused you. I can confirm that you are unable under law to travel with your firearm even if it is not loaded and in a gun case.

I have included the relevant regulations that this policy is covered under for your reference below.

Dangerous goods & accompanied items

Reference: 2011 Victorian Fares & Conditions Manual

For the safety of conductors and customers alike, items likely to injure or endanger other persons are not permitted on V/Line services.
Dangerous goods as defined in the Victorian Dangerous Goods Act 1985 and the Victorian Dangerous Goods Transportation Regulations 1987 include the following items:

 Flammable liquids and gases (petrol, kerosene, LPG, propane)
 Firearms
 Explosives
 Corrosive or acidic chemicals
 Live animals (excluding domestic cats & dogs in approved containers & Assistance Animal Pass holders.)
 Plants
 Biological wastes
 Perishable items
 Any item that emits foul odour or has the potential to leak fluids

Thank you for your feedback and I apologise that we are unable to allow you to travel with a firearm.

and my further response that evaporated into the 'ether'

Thanks for the quick response, I appreciate it,

My query relates to not only train but also bus and metro travel,

I trust you will however be patient with me as I believe this is a serious concern;

With regard to your response, firearms are not dangerous goods, they are not defined as a dangerous good under the Act and there is no such regulation as the "Victorian Dangerous Goods Transportation Regulations 1987". There was a revoked Dangerous Goods (Transport) Regulations as well as a revoked 'Dangerous Goods (Transport by Rail) Regulations 1998'. The current regulation is the 'Dangerous Goods (Transport by Road or Rail) Regulations 2008' which neither makes reference or definition of a firearm as a dangerous item.

You have referred to a "2011 Victorian Fares & Conditions Manual" which I could not locate; I did however locate a 2014 issue 'Victorian fares and ticketing manual', is this the same or update document??

Within this document there is the reference to a firearm as 'Dangerous goods' and as such "likely to injure or endanger other persons" This definition appears arbitrary and incorrect, as it is the only reference where a firearm is referred as such. It is absolutely ridiculous (for the authors) to claim and then stipulate in a PTV manual that firearms, specifically unloaded and secured firearms in carriage represent a threat and "likely to injure or endanger other persons".

Please advise how and why this determination had been attained.

As it stands, I firmly believe this classification is unjustified and incorrect and request it be removed from the 'Victorian fares and ticketing manual'.

I further highlight, for information and consideration, that firearm licence holder are the most stringently regulated sector of our community, with firearm use and carriage licences the most difficult to obtain and a privilege most easily lost. The carriage of prohibited / illegal / unregistered firearms is an offence and controlled under the Firearms Act 1996 and associated regulations.

Thanks again.

[juststarting]

Postage insurance - There was a case recently where a firearm was purchased from a well known site and posted via Australian Post to the buyers nominated licenced firearms dealer and when received, the stock was in 2 pieces, cracked through at the pistol grip. No insurance cover and A.P. denied any responsibility. i can't find the link but what do you do?

I didn't think about that. Good point.