Anyone gone through registering an unregistered firearm?

[jeebo]

Anyone gone through taking an unregistered firearm down to get it put on the books?

You found granddads one in the attic or wherever.

Was it just another day at the office getting it turned around? Or did you get the evil eye?

Just curious what kind of reception people get from the fuzz doing this.

(I'm in VIC... I know the amnesties change from place to place so just mentioning it)

[Rayder44]

I know some dealers advertise that they can work with unregistered firearms, but I'm not sure if that's for registration or disposal. Might be worth calling a dealer up first before going to the police?

[AusC]

You can surrender it to a dealer or the police. Either is perfectly acceptable.

I'd put my money on a warmer reception at the dealer

[Baldrick314]

I've done it once before and am doing it again now. This is in NSW so may be different to your state. I called my local dealer he takes down some info (where the firearm was found, deceased estate or if it was in someone's roof for years and just been found. That kind of stuff) he sends that off to FAR with all the info of the firearm and they process it and send back a registration number. The dealer then puts the firearm on his books and holds it while you get a PTA sorted or he sells it for you if you don't want it.

I was initially concerned that FAR might call for the firearm to be seized and destroyed or something similar but the dealer told me he'd handled a fair few and never had that happen. I'm pretty sure they're just happy to have them on the books so they don't pursue people who are trying to do the right thing

[Aster]

If you found a firearm...

Without delay, I would deposit the firearm at your local dealer, apply for a PTA, and arrange for "Pops old gun that no-one knew about until it was found in the attic" gun to be registered...

Speak to your dealer about the process...

To not do so carries serious penalties:

Offence to possess, carry or use an unregistered longarm
(1) A non-prohibited person must not possess, carry or use a category A or category B longarm that is not registered.
Penalty: For a first offence, 120 penalty units or 2 years imprisonment;
For a second or subsequent offence,
1200 penalty units or 10 years imprisonment.

If cat C, double the first offence penalties....

[Aster]

I appreciate the concern 1290 but as I stated, I'm "just curious what kind of reception people get from the fuzz doing this."

Not everyone is a shooting enthusiast and some view it with disdain, regardless of whether it's legal or not, this is the motivation for my question.

[VICHunter]

It's always legal to turn in a found unregistered firearm.

To charge people for turning in a firearm they genuinely found would be moronic. It would obviously result in people just leaving them in the attic or shed instead of doing the right thing if the Police punish them for being honest and responsible. The opinions of an individual officer regarding private firearm ownership have nothing to do with it.

They will turn up in deceased estates etc. The police know this and the law provides for this. I believe turning it in within 24 hours is referenced somewhere, though I can't remember where off the top of my head.

If one day you do find one, just take it straight to a dealer so the gun can be registered, which is all the police want.

[jeebo]

Thank you all.

[bluerob]

I dare say that if you found a handgun "on the side of the road," there's a good chance it was used in a crime.

Years ago whilst scuba diving, a revolver was found. Near South Head in Sydney. It couldn't be used as it had been in the water for quite a while. Never heard what happened to it, but, if I found a functioning firearm that wasn't in gran dads roof, I'd be handing it in to the Police.

[1290]

I appreciate the concern 1290 but as I stated, I'm "just curious what kind of reception people get from the fuzz doing this."

Not everyone is a shooting enthusiast and some view it with disdain, regardless of whether it's legal or not, this is the motivation for my question.

No worries mate, point is to be aware, there are serious penalties for each and every infraction, whether you/we agree or not....

Vichunter, yes, if you hand it in for rego or to give it up once found or once the estate is 'resolved' its OK, problem is if you HANG ON to it!

[VICHunter]

Vichunter, yes, if you hand it in for rego or to give it up once found or once the estate is 'resolved' its OK, problem is if you HANG ON to it!

Yeah, if you found it 20 years ago they might not be as welcoming

[shazz]

I dare say that if you found a handgun "on the side of the road," there's a good chance it was used in a crime.

They'd be happy to have one like that found and turned in for sure.

[model41]

This question to me has not been answered if full.

Yes I have registered various firearms given to me, no issues, no questions, not a problem.

In Vic there is a permanent amnesty regarding unregistered firearms.

These can be registered by any licenced firearms dealer.

Once registered you will need a PTA to get back into your possession.

The amnesty doesn’t allow for a licenced shooter to be in possession of an unregistered firearm. So you risk being prosecuted and loosing you licence. I would call the dealer and tell them you are on your way, then if you get nicked on the way the dealer can verify your story.

[jeebo]

Yes I have registered various firearms given to me, no issues, no questions, not a problem.

Easy, thanks mate.

[veep]

A dealer would be happy to do it for you surely.

One more transfer fee in the register for them.

[Odo]

I have had long guns registered to me by my pistol club armourer who also had a dealers licence. ( actually registered by FAR, but he did all the paperwork)

[gherx]

It was covered at my safety course when I did it, you just take an unregistered firearm to a dealer if you somehow come into possession of one.

They do the paperwork and it's done (as long as you have license for that Cat firearm).

Or they could/would sell for you if you didn't have the right license.

[razor222]

Sorry to revive a dead post. Is this still the case in 2019?

[dpskipper]

Yes. Nothings changed

[Oldbloke]

He is in NSW. Not Vic

[razor222]

Yeah, I ended up ringing two different local gun shops, and both said they had been told that since the last amnesty that they're to advise any queries are forwarded to your local police station. NSW specific