AnotherMisfire wrote:Modena wrote:My Mrs will be knowing where the key is, and if the coppers turn up she will give them the key and they can open the safe.
Bad idea for a number of reasons (the letting them inspect when you're not there - not the part about her knowing where the keys are, that part's your business.)
Part of the National Agreement in 1996 was: "submit to a mutually arranged (with due recognition of privacy) inspection by licensing authorities of storage facilities".
They have no right of entry for a normal inspection. If they have a search warrant then they can come in and use the keys - of not they can arrange a suitable time for you to be there.
Apart from the NFA not being
law per se.... the agreement was translated into state specific Firearm/weapons Acts.... you will note that wording states 'a' mutually arranged inspection, and there is a huge different between a single inspection at the time of licensing (as I would interpret) and ONGOING RANDOM inspections for the LIFE of your firearm licence....inspectionS. Continuous random inspections of law abiding citizens - for no reason other than being on a list smells a lot like a "papers please" police state.... to some anyway.
Also note when the Popo knock on your door demanding inspection.... there are 2 possible processes there, FIREARM inspection, which is a clear provision and STORAGE inspection, which are 2 separate things.
Consider this;
The licence can only be issued (actually must NOT be issued, by law, unless.....) if the Chief Commissioner is satisfied that the storage requirement can be complied with (S17, Vic FA Act);
"....
.the applicant can comply with the storage requirements set out by or under the Act";
The only way to be satisfied is to inspect.... to conduct the "a" inspection....at licensing time.
I put to you that subsequent to the "a" inspection there is no provision for ongoing inspections!! There are the ongoing provisions for the inspection of firearms...
Theres the ;
'Offence not to produce firearm for inspection' which carried the penalty of 12months (assault someone and you'll get a lot less...that discussion is for another day)
Therefore, I would suggest that clear legal provisions to continually inspect the storage do not exist under law...and should a knock at the door require an inspection (actually the production of firearms for inspection) hosting the popo in the dining room while you visit the back room/shed/garage to RETRIEVE the firearms and place them on the dining table.... could not be construed as non-compliance.... particularly so if an inspection of the storage had already occurred at licensing time...
Whatdayathink....
Necessary Rider: this is discussion not advice....