Crackdown on shotgun trip alarms being installed in Victoria

[stihl88]

Just a heads up if you were considering popping one of these into your AliExpress shopping cart, DON'T!!!!

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Original article
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-victoria/crackdown-on-shotgun-trip-alarms-being-installed-victorian-homes/news-story/70f2ad957a4920f3608de4885e148c72

Home alarms that fire 12-gauge shotgun rounds when someone “trips” a wire have been installed in Victorian homes from Colac to Frankston, and it’s not just crooks using them.

Dangerous trip alarms used by criminals and capable of firing 12-gauge shotgun rounds are being increasingly seized by authorities.

Australian Border Force officers have confiscated 28 of the weapons in a recent crackdown involving a sweep of raids across Victoria.

Among places they were uncovered were Colac, Drysdale, Hampton Park, Kinglake Dromana, Mt Eliza and Frankston.

The devices are marketed as designed to serve as an alarm but their ability to fire a round puts them in the same category as other firearms.

A total of 47 were seized in Victoria and West Australia as part of Operation Tripidation.

The ABF said 15 importers of the alarms were identified in Victoria and 14 warnings issued.

There were 18 importers found in the WA arm of the operation.

Insp. James Judge of the ABF said an increasing number of trip alarms were coming in via the international mail system, sparking the crackdown.

Some of the alarms are being used by criminals for protection but others are being purchased innocently by members of the public.

They fire when someone “trips” a wire attached to the device.

“Trip alarms are not harmless toys or convenient security devices, it is a serious offence to bring these items into the country without the appropriate permissions,” Inspector Judge said.

“We understand that some members of the public may attempt to import a trip alarm with completely innocent motives. But it is a case of buyer beware and they should always check first to see if an item is a prohibited import.”

Intentionally importing a trip alarm without authority carries penalties of up to 10 years in jail.

[Shootermick]

Better take down the one I use to keep the kids out of my bedroom then.

[bladeracer]

Since you need a licence to buy or possess 12ga. ammo anyway what are unlicenced people using in these?

Just a heads up if you were considering popping one of these into your AliExpress shopping cart, DON'T!!!!

1.png

Original article
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-victoria/crackdown-on-shotgun-trip-alarms-being-installed-victorian-homes/news-story/70f2ad957a4920f3608de4885e148c72

Home alarms that fire 12-gauge shotgun rounds when someone “trips” a wire have been installed in Victorian homes from Colac to Frankston, and it’s not just crooks using them.

Dangerous trip alarms used by criminals and capable of firing 12-gauge shotgun rounds are being increasingly seized by authorities.

Australian Border Force officers have confiscated 28 of the weapons in a recent crackdown involving a sweep of raids across Victoria.

Among places they were uncovered were Colac, Drysdale, Hampton Park, Kinglake Dromana, Mt Eliza and Frankston.

The devices are marketed as designed to serve as an alarm but their ability to fire a round puts them in the same category as other firearms.

A total of 47 were seized in Victoria and West Australia as part of Operation Tripidation.

The ABF said 15 importers of the alarms were identified in Victoria and 14 warnings issued.

There were 18 importers found in the WA arm of the operation.

Insp. James Judge of the ABF said an increasing number of trip alarms were coming in via the international mail system, sparking the crackdown.

Some of the alarms are being used by criminals for protection but others are being purchased innocently by members of the public.

They fire when someone “trips” a wire attached to the device.

“Trip alarms are not harmless toys or convenient security devices, it is a serious offence to bring these items into the country without the appropriate permissions,” Inspector Judge said.

“We understand that some members of the public may attempt to import a trip alarm with completely innocent motives. But it is a case of buyer beware and they should always check first to see if an item is a prohibited import.”

Intentionally importing a trip alarm without authority carries penalties of up to 10 years in jail.

[womble]

Better take down the one I use to keep the kids out of my bedroom then.

some kids need to learn the hard way.

[animalpest]

Better take down the one I use to keep the kids out of my bedroom then.

some kids need to learn the hard way.

They would only do it once

[bigpete]

Wow.
Now who'd have thought that aye ?

[No1Mk3]

Article seems to be mostly regarding the importation without permit, seizure by ABF and not Police? These items don't have a barrel and discharge would not fire a projectile with any force in a particular direction, so do they fall under the pervue of a Firearms Act, Weapons Act or Dangerous Goods? I used to make these years ago for farmers seeking to keep pigs out of lambing paddocks, loaded with 20g BP blanks, never had a cop question them then.

[womble]

Article seems to be mostly regarding the importation without permit, seizure by ABF and not Police? These items don't have a barrel and discharge would not fire a projectile with any force in a particular direction, so do they fall under the pervue of a Firearms Act, Weapons Act or Dangerous Goods? I used to make these years ago for farmers seeking to keep pigs out of lambing paddocks, loaded with 20g BP blanks, never had a cop question them then.

Thread a short pipe on and your drug dealer has a convenient booby trap with a wide pattern.

[Fionn]

Article seems to be mostly regarding the importation without permit, seizure by ABF and not Police? These items don't have a barrel and discharge would not fire a projectile with any force in a particular direction, so do they fall under the pervue of a Firearms Act, Weapons Act or Dangerous Goods? I used to make these years ago for farmers seeking to keep pigs out of lambing paddocks, loaded with 20g BP blanks, never had a cop question them then.

Correct.

[Larry]

Therre are a lot of them for sale from stores that have Australian distribution. Import already done. Unless the Authorities get a warrant for company records tracing the sale of those could be impossible. I reckon there could be a few containers full of them already here hence they are being advertised and sold off cheap to clear stocks.

[Fionn]

Therre are a lot of them for sale from stores that have Australian distribution. Import already done. Unless the Authorities get a warrant for company records tracing the sale of those could be impossible. I reckon there could be a few containers full of them already here hence they are being advertised and sold off cheap to clear stocks.

A warrant for this would be very easy, They are considered a firearm in Victoria.

[womble]

An unregistered firearm to be precise. You are slipping Fionn.

[stihl88]

Perhaps a gov buyback is in order, here's you're $10.50 for unregistered firearm!

[Fionn]

An unregistered firearm to be precise. You are slipping Fionn.

Hardly, the registration status has no bearing on if something is deemed a firearm.

[womble]

You will slip up one day.
And when you do our revenge will be swift and brutal.

[Fionn]

You will slip up one day.
And when you do our revenge will be swift and brutal.

[stihl88]

You will slip up one day.
And when you do our revenge will be swift and brutal.

Particularly if you slip/trip on one of these devices

[Border_Bloke]

I've seen ones being sold on online that are just a modified mouse trap with a hole drilled for a shotgun primer.
I would imagine that this type wouldn't be classed as "firearms", but I seem to remember that there was something in Victorian legislation specifically about "Man traps".

Mind you that was 35 years ago, they may have changed it.

[Larry]

It would seem the definition of a firearm is anything that goes bang or puts a projectile into the air.

[womble]

My toaster is technically a firearm.
Just would need a very long extension lead for hunting and target shooting

[Shootermick]

My toaster is technically a firearm.
Just would need a very long extension lead for hunting and target shooting

Hope it’s not a 4 slice, pretty sure they’re highly restricted.

[womble]

WA recently banned clicky pens, because they can be modified so as the spring will launch the ink refill.
They’re only allowed to use pencils.

[Shootermick]

WA recently banned clicky pens, because they can be modified so as the spring will launch the ink refill.
They’re only allowed to use pencils.

Stock up on the pencils over there before they’re banned too and it’s back to crayons.

[on_one_wheel]

Rumour has it that in the best interests of public safety, WA is currently seeking advice from key stakeholders on the viability and legalities of having the removal of index fingers made mandatory as to prevent the general public from making firearm gestures with their hands.

[womble]

Bunch of three fingered muppets
With their crayons