What exactly constitutes an "imitation" firearm?

Questions about Tasmanian fun and ammunition laws. Tasmanian Firearms Act 1996.

What exactly constitutes an "imitation" firearm?

Post by CommunistPigeon » 24 Nov 2020, 10:39 am

"An imitation firearm is defined under the Act as an article of any material or colour that is a copy or reproduction of a firearm or has the appearance of a firearm and could reasonably be mistaken for a firearm.

It is the size and features of the item which make it an imitation, not the colour. If it is clearly a toy it is not an imitation firearm. If it could reasonably be taken to be a firearm then it is an imitation firearm." - Firearms Services

This is rather vague. What looks like a toy to one person may look realistic to someone else. Once again I'm going to slip into 3D printing (nonfunctional) game replicas, namely DOOM Eternal's Super Shotgun since it illustrates what I'm talking about rather well.
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4236707

This looks like a toy to me. To me this is almost emitting beams of "3D printed toy." But to other people it may not be so obvious.
This whole idea of what something looks like having a major part in it's classification is therefore ridiculous, surely? Whether something looks like a toy is purely subjective, right?
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Re: What exactly constitutes an "imitation" firearm?

Post by TassieTiger » 24 Nov 2020, 11:34 am

It’s ridiculous - no two ways about it, but it is what it is...
One way I try and think of this vague ass law re Imitation - if you carried this down Main Street at lunch time, would anyone scream or run ? Yes? Police would have issue with it...
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Re: What exactly constitutes an "imitation" firearm?

Post by Ziege » 24 Nov 2020, 11:49 am

no law should ever be subjective, only objective. "if people saw you with this would they run" the law should never involve criteria like this, relying on the subjective idiocy of random people is not sound lawmaking and every last one of us should be actively opposing it, whether a gun owner or not.
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Re: What exactly constitutes an "imitation" firearm?

Post by TassieTiger » 24 Nov 2020, 2:58 pm

to my knowledge - no actual law is based on whether ppl will run - the op knows the law is stupid.
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ATA 686 U/O 12g & Baikal S/S 12g.
Adler a110 reddot
Sauer 30-06 - VX 3
Howa 300 win mag. SHV 5-20/56
Marlin SBL 45/70
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Re: What exactly constitutes an "imitation" firearm?

Post by womble » 24 Nov 2020, 3:53 pm

Walking down the street with that would get you shot dead.
After they shoot you dead they can say, Haha we thought it was a real gun.
And that is why the law is written as subjective.
So they can shoot you. It’s just a perk that comes with the job. Something to brighten up an otherwise uneventful day perhaps.
How’s the job hunting going.
I dream of a world where chickens can cross the road without having their motives questioned
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Re: What exactly constitutes an "imitation" firearm?

Post by TassieTiger » 24 Nov 2020, 4:01 pm

womble wrote:Walking down the street with that would get you shot dead.
How’s the job hunting going.


Job hunting ? Who me? I’ve got a primary produce business, a full time job and self manage some invest props...I don’t have time to look for a job!

Yes, the vagueness of the law allows them to ban gel blasters based on imitation, but sell that exact same plastic toy at Kmart...
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Steyr Pro Varmint .223 - VX 3
CZ455 .22 & Norinco .22 (vtex 4-12, bush 3-9)
ATA 686 U/O 12g & Baikal S/S 12g.
Adler a110 reddot
Sauer 30-06 - VX 3
Howa 300 win mag. SHV 5-20/56
Marlin SBL 45/70
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Re: What exactly constitutes an "imitation" firearm?

Post by Member-Deleted » 24 Nov 2020, 4:20 pm

womble wrote:How’s the job hunting going.


Was this meant for me? :huh:
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Re: What exactly constitutes an "imitation" firearm?

Post by CommunistPigeon » 24 Nov 2020, 4:38 pm

womble wrote:Walking down the street with that would get you shot dead.
After they shoot you dead they can say, Haha we thought it was a real gun.
And that is why the law is written as subjective.
So they can shoot you. It’s just a perk that comes with the job. Something to brighten up an otherwise uneventful day perhaps.
How’s the job hunting going.


It's their job. If the job bores them they shouldn't apply for it. Simple as that. And shooting someone isn't exactly a way to "brighten up" a day... Unless you are mentally handicapped, in which case you shouldn't be working with the police anyway.
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Re: What exactly constitutes an "imitation" firearm?

Post by Member-Deleted » 24 Nov 2020, 5:21 pm

CommunistPigeon wrote:
shooting someone isn't exactly a way to "brighten up" a day...


I am going to disagree here... it brightens up a night much more effectively, but all the extra flashing lights still lights up the day. Wee woo!
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Re: What exactly constitutes an "imitation" firearm?

Post by womble » 25 Nov 2020, 4:57 am

Look. Technically it’s not a crime to play cowboys and Indians on Bourke st.
I’m just saying, the police will want to play too.
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Re: What exactly constitutes an "imitation" firearm?

Post by Member-Deleted » 25 Nov 2020, 6:39 am

womble wrote:Look. Technically it’s not a crime to play cowboys and Indians on Bourke st.
I’m just saying, the police will want to play too.


:lol:
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Re: What exactly constitutes an "imitation" firearm?

Post by straightshooter » 25 Nov 2020, 7:35 am

Now to get back on topic.
Q: What exactly constitutes an "imitation" firearm?
A: Whatever constable plod says.
Now constable plod could be found in error in a court of law BUT he won't have to spend a fortune defending himself or accept a lesser charge in the hope the more serious charges will go away.
"Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about."
"There is no expedient to which a man will not resort to avoid the real labor of thinking." Sir Joshua Reynolds
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Re: What exactly constitutes an "imitation" firearm?

Post by cz515 » 25 Nov 2020, 10:41 am

Lol @ womble

In law there is a concept of common law. In simple terms we can call it a pub test. So what will a pub full if random people think when looking at that picture. Would they think it looks like a firearm? I would hazard a guess and say YES. So in all likelihood a police (cannot call them a man or woman or mr or mrs or even unknown in this politically correct days) is likely to think that is a real firearm

Saying that the law itself is illogical as we as LFO are supposed to keep our firearms hidden from public view (just use they get scared).
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