Wombat wrote:Ammo can be in a plastic toolbox so long as its padlocked
Just for clarification and reference to the actual regulations - Wombat is referring to Schedule 4, Item 1 (3), or Schedule 4, Item 2 (3) (For C, D and Handguns) which both state:
(3) Any cartridge ammunition for the firearm must be stored in a locked container separate from the safe in which the firearm must be stored.
So - from the regulations, it would appear as though one would be more compliant to store their ammunition in a separate plastic toolbox with a padlock on it
outside, and next to the safe than to use the internal more secure ammunition compartment of a safe.
However - Vicpol have identified the potential cloud within this regulation and the commissioner has made at his discretion an exception to this rule to allow the internal compartment to be used by stating separately:
Legislation requires that cartridge ammunition must be stored in a locked container separate from the receptacle in which the firearm is stored.
Victoria Police has determined that for the purposes of implementing this part of the legislation, a single, purpose-built storage receptacle comprising of two separate lockable compartments, one for ammunition and one for firearms, is classified as separate storage areas (and therefore suitable) provided that each compartment is locked with a separate lock and key or combination lock.
The key consideration is that firearms cannot readily accessed by persons not authorised to do so.
Source:
http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.as ... t_ID=36210 (FAQ Section)
It's worth noting that this is not regulation, and is an allowance/exception made by the commissioner, who could change his mind in future without any regulations requiring changes.
I would be interested in feedback from people who have been inspected who store ammunition in separate locked plastic containers as to the individual police officers response. I would expect
some police wouldn't have questioned this (considering my observation of some of their lack of knowledge on firearms), even though according to the regulation it's more compliant than using the internal compartment of a safe.