What makes a firearm?

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What makes a firearm?

Post by S O K A R » 30 Dec 2022, 12:57 am

Something I've been wondering for a while, at what stage does it go from firearm parts to an actual firearm in the eyes of the law?
Once its sitting in a chassis? Addition of a firing mechanism? etc
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Re: What makes a firearm?

Post by nurofen » 30 Dec 2022, 7:34 am

Usually the action and barrel. But once it's mated with a chassis the whole thing becomes a firearm. Just separate the functional parts from the static parts and the chassis becomes a bit of metal again. You can even manufacture your own chassis and it's legally not a firearm. Unsure how this would work if you live in some ****** like WA. Fortunately I do not live there.
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Re: What makes a firearm?

Post by Fionn » 30 Dec 2022, 7:42 am

It's defined in the various state legislation.

Victoria it's this below, most states would be very similar.

Firearm means
any device, whether or not assembled or in parts—

(a) which is designed or adapted, or is
capable of being modified, to discharge
shot or a bullet or other missile by the
expansion of gases produced in the
device by the ignition of strongly
combustible materials or by
compressed air or other gases, whether
stored in the device in pressurised
containers or produced in the device by mechanical means; and

(b) whether or not operable or complete or

temporarily or permanently inoperable
or incomplete—
and which is not—

(c) an industrial tool powered by cartridges
containing gunpowder or compressed
air or other gases which is designed and
intended for use for fixing fasteners or
plugs or for similar purposes; or

(d) a captive bolt humane killer; or

(e) a spear gun designed for underwater
use; or

(f) a device designed for the discharge of
signal flares; or

* * * * *

(h) a device commonly known as a kiln
gun or ringblaster, designed specifically
for knocking out or down solid material
in kilns, furnaces or cement silos; or

(i) a device commonly known as a line
thrower designed for establishing lines
between structures or natural features
and powered by compressed air or other
compressed gases and used for rescue
purposes, rescue training or rescue
demonstration; or

(j) a device of a prescribed class;
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Re: What makes a firearm?

Post by MontyShooter » 30 Dec 2022, 8:48 am

The more interesting question is what part has to be stored in the safe? In Vic I believe it is just the serialised component - the receiver.
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Re: What makes a firearm?

Post by bladeracer » 30 Dec 2022, 11:31 am

MontyShooter wrote:The more interesting question is what part has to be stored in the safe? In Vic I believe it is just the serialised component - the receiver.


That's correct. When my dealer takes a firearm in to be destroyed they only need the receiver - I scavenged everything else off a Lithgow Model 12 he took in. They also like to have the bolt with it but it's not legislated.
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Re: What makes a firearm?

Post by perentie » 31 Dec 2022, 7:02 am

Fionn wrote:It's defined in the various state legislation.

Victoria it's this below, most states would be very similar.

Firearm means
any device, whether or not assembled or in parts—

(a) which is designed or adapted, or is
capable of being modified, to discharge
shot or a bullet or other missile by the
expansion of gases produced in the
device by the ignition of strongly
combustible materials or by
compressed air or other gases, whether
stored in the device in pressurised


So going by that then antique muzzle loaders are included also
containers or produced in the device by mechanical means; and

(b) whether or not operable or complete or

temporarily or permanently inoperable
or incomplete—
and which is not—

(c) an industrial tool powered by cartridges
containing gunpowder or compressed
air or other gases which is designed and
intended for use for fixing fasteners or
plugs or for similar purposes; or

(d) a captive bolt humane killer; or

(e) a spear gun designed for underwater
use; or

(f) a device designed for the discharge of
signal flares; or

* * * * *

(h) a device commonly known as a kiln
gun or ringblaster, designed specifically
for knocking out or down solid material
in kilns, furnaces or cement silos; or

(i) a device commonly known as a line
thrower designed for establishing lines
between structures or natural features
and powered by compressed air or other
compressed gases and used for rescue
purposes, rescue training or rescue
demonstration; or

(j) a device of a prescribed class;
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