sungazer wrote:C'mon guys you are being a bit over the top. the Ruger precision and Tika tatical all look like military weapons and all are legal. The appearance of this gun is no more than any Remington 700 in a MDT chassis or one of the many others. The sky is not falling.
Doesnt matter what 'we' think.... its what the 'some kind of Automatic' bolt action rifle crew (AKA VicPol) think;
Classification of firearms and related items
Release date: Fri 30 December 2011
Last updated: Fri 20 May 2016
Legislation
Firearms and imitation firearms are regulated in Victoria under the Firearms Act 1996 and Control of Weapons Act 1990 respectively.
As the regulators of the law in this area, Victoria Police's Licensing & Regulation Division has published a 'What is a firearm?' chart. This chart will assist you to identify the key differences between these devices and the necessary regulatory requirements relevant to each (e.g. registration, licence, approval requirements etc.).
If your device is a firearm and requires that you have a licence under the Firearms Act 1996, you can proceed to the apply for firearms licence section. Alternatively, if your device is an imitation under the Control of Weapons Act 1990, you can proceed to the Chief Commissioner's Approval section.
Firearm reclassification
Amendments made in 2008 to the Firearms Act 1996 gave the Chief Commissioner of Police limited powers to reclassify firearms. As the Chief Commissioner's delegate, the Superintendent of LRD may reclassify firearms that are ordinarily a category A, B or C longarm into a category D or E longarm. This may happen when a firearm has been designed or adapted for military purposes or substantially duplicates a 'militaristic-type' firearm in design, function or appearance.
LRD's superintendent is assisted by the Classification Review Committee when reviewing the classification of a firearm. The Committee also advises the superintendent on the need to regulate other items not covered by the Firearms Act 1996 and is made up of:
A person with no expertise with regards to firearms;
An operational member of police;
Two people with extensive technical expertise (one of which is independent of LRD); and
A person with extensive knowledge of import permits.
The following firearms have been reclassified:
Verney-Carron Speedline Rifle - as published in The Gazette 12 May 2016 P.949 (temporary reclassification until 9 May 2017)
Alexander Arms R17 - as published in The Gazette 18 February 2016 P.237
German Sporting Guns 522 - as published in The Gazette 18 February 2016 P.237
German Sporting Guns StG44 - as published in The Gazette 18 February 2016 P.237
German Sporting Guns AK-47 - as published in The Gazette 18 February 2016 P.237
Walther H&K416 - as published The Gazette 18 February 2016 P.237
Molot Model VEPR 12 - as published in The Gazette 6 March 2014 P.414
Saiga Model 12 - as published in The Gazette 6 March 2014 P.414
Smith & Wesson Model M&P 15-22 - as published in The Gazette 6 March 2014 P.414
Heckler and Koch Model R8 Rifle - as published in The Gazette 26 March 2009 P.723
DPMS Panther Pump Action Rifle - as published in The Gazette 26 March 2009 P.723
Olympic Arms Match E2 MK2 Rifle - as published in The Gazette 26 March 2009 P.723
Pump action scary guns are classified cat D.....
who decides?
A person with no expertise with regards to firearms; {< yes it actually says that}
An operational member of police;{1 cop}
Two people with extensive technical expertise (one of which is independent of LRD); and {2 cops}
A person with extensive knowledge of import permits. {3 cops}
so 3 vicpol staff, 1 person who has no knowledge and is likely to be intimidated by a piece of black steel...and 1 person who is possibly not vicpol affiliated... though would be 'compliant' if he/she wants another gig....