Download wrote:http://www.guns.com/2018/03/14/bolt-action-rifle-ordered-turned-in-by-australian-officials-as-its-too-assaulty-video/
I'm somewhat doubtful Customs have a power to retrospectively ban the import of a gun. The fact they use the language "we seek the return of your rifle" makes me think they know they have no power and know they can't put a demand in writing but are trying to sound threatening and convince people to turn them in.
I hope the people that own these tell Customs to f*** off.
Yep, this letter fails the "smell test". The Australian Border Force has the power to reclassify an item, but you would think this will only restrict future importation of that same type of item. Where their letter says "the reclassification of the Riverman OAF...means that
your rifle is a prohibited import", I'm not certain that is true. Wouldn't it only be a prohibited import if you were trying to import it now? The existing Riverman OAF rifles already in Australia were lawfully imported at the time they crossed the border into this country.
If they thought they had the power they'd be giving you a seizure notice, not a letter, or at the very least using their powers to direct you to surrender it at the nearest police station. Instead they "seek the return of your rifle to the ABF and offer you compensation", and will give you a seizure notice
after you've "organised the return of your rifle". They also tell you not to deal with or dispose of it in the meantime but I'd be surprised if the ABF had any power to restrict trade or commerce within the States or territories for something that was lawfully imported. This situation reminds me of when importing pitbulls became prohibited. They didn't then go around seizing existing pitbulls which had been lawfully imported up to that point. Any lawyers on this forum want to chime in?