Police firearms storage requirements

[on_one_wheel]

It's unlikely to have happened if they simply followed the same safe storage rules they ask us to.

"The police vehicle had firearms and ammunition securely stored in it, which the offenders allegedly gained access to"

Four people allegedly steal police firearm and ammunition in Townsville - ABC News https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-24/ ... /104640916

[rc42]

If this happened to a civilian cat H licensee they would be charged for improper storage, license cancelled and all other firearms and ammunition confiscated.

When the police themselves do it we get a senior office with surprised face that there are criminals out there that don't obey laws, but they will investigate. And that's the end of the matter.

[on_one_wheel]

The fact they've claimed their firearms were "stored securely" is a slap in the face to the very laws they've imposed on us all in the name of public safety.

[alexjones]

Remember the cop in Canberra who left his Glock on the table at mcdonalds? Ate his lunch and left his gun. Haha what a loser.

[Wapiti]

Yeah well, I'm not defending our overlords, but breaking into a boot and popping the rubbish keypad pistol receptacles they use wouldn't be too hard.

Look at the regs that you guys easily comply with.... longarms in a gunbag, on the back seat with a blanket over them... quite legal in Qld but how hard is it to break inro a sedan? Not more than a few seconds by these experienced thieves the judges keep letting out for certain favours...

A farmer out here watched two coppers open the back of a certain 4wd wagon brand and just lift out a government supplied semi-auto 223 just in a simple gunbag... Is anyone familiar with the transport requirements for a lowly "civilian" when transporting a Cat D rifle? Yeah well, it's not in a gunbag chucked into a wagon...

[Bugman]

It will be interesting to see what action is taken (if any) to the copper who had his gun stolen. I guess it will all come out in the wash (supposedly).

[alexjones]

Yeah well, I'm not defending our overlords, but breaking into a boot and popping the rubbish keypad pistol receptacles they use wouldn't be too hard.

Look at the regs that you guys easily comply with.... longarms in a gunbag, on the back seat with a blanket over them... quite legal in Qld but how hard is it to break inro a sedan? Not more than a few seconds by these experienced thieves the judges keep letting out for certain favours...

A farmer out here watched two coppers open the back of a certain 4wd wagon brand and just lift out a government supplied semi-auto 223 just in a simple gunbag... Is anyone familiar with the transport requirements for a lowly "civilian" when transporting a Cat D rifle? Yeah well, it's not in a gunbag chucked into a wagon...

In QLD there is no distinction between categories whilst travelling. The law states if you are in the car with the gun it must be unloaded and must be in a sealed container out of sight. If the car has a boot it must be in the boot if not it must just be out of sight. Does not have to be a gun bag but a gun bag is considered a sealed container.

So what they did was legal for a civilian.

[Bugman]

Legal for a civilian? I am not sure about that but the QLD requirements would not be accepted in NSW. Anyhow it is an issue that can be debated until the cows come home. I would suggest that the coppers should be setting a better example. Just a thought.

[deye243]

Cops in Townsville have some explaining yo do as they had a pistol and ammo taken out of a car today .
But it will be another case of move along nothing to see here

[Wapiti]

Yeah well, I'm not defending our overlords, but breaking into a boot and popping the rubbish keypad pistol receptacles they use wouldn't be too hard.

Look at the regs that you guys easily comply with.... longarms in a gunbag, on the back seat with a blanket over them... quite legal in Qld but how hard is it to break inro a sedan? Not more than a few seconds by these experienced thieves the judges keep letting out for certain favours...

A farmer out here watched two coppers open the back of a certain 4wd wagon brand and just lift out a government supplied semi-auto 223 just in a simple gunbag... Is anyone familiar with the transport requirements for a lowly "civilian" when transporting a Cat D rifle? Yeah well, it's not in a gunbag chucked into a wagon...

In QLD there is no distinction between categories whilst travelling. The law states if you are in the car with the gun it must be unloaded and must be in a sealed container out of sight. If the car has a boot it must be in the boot if not it must just be out of sight. Does not have to be a gun bag but a gun bag is considered a sealed container.

So what they did was legal for a civilian.

So the info I got from WL when my Cat D was approved, being metal containers permanently affixed to the vehicle must have been made up then?
What did your Cat D approval information say?

[Wm.Traynor]

Wapiti,
When I had a wagon, the requirements were as you have stated. Is that your vehicle; a wagon?

[alexjones]

Yeah well, I'm not defending our overlords, but breaking into a boot and popping the rubbish keypad pistol receptacles they use wouldn't be too hard.

Look at the regs that you guys easily comply with.... longarms in a gunbag, on the back seat with a blanket over them... quite legal in Qld but how hard is it to break inro a sedan? Not more than a few seconds by these experienced thieves the judges keep letting out for certain favours...

A farmer out here watched two coppers open the back of a certain 4wd wagon brand and just lift out a government supplied semi-auto 223 just in a simple gunbag... Is anyone familiar with the transport requirements for a lowly "civilian" when transporting a Cat D rifle? Yeah well, it's not in a gunbag chucked into a wagon...

In QLD there is no distinction between categories whilst travelling. The law states if you are in the car with the gun it must be unloaded and must be in a sealed container out of sight. If the car has a boot it must be in the boot if not it must just be out of sight. Does not have to be a gun bag but a gun bag is considered a sealed container.

So what they did was legal for a civilian.

So the info I got from WL when my Cat D was approved, being metal containers permanently affixed to the vehicle must have been made up then?
What did your Cat D approval information say?

Weapons licensing say what they like but it is not always what the law says. Their internal policy and guidelines is NOT LAW so I read what the law says to confirm.

Read the weapons regulation section 95 and 96 mate.

If you are storing the gun in your car because you are away from your secure storage at home you have to store the gun in a sealed container(a gun bag is a sealed container) with the bolt removed, or a trigger lock fitted.

If you don't want to do that you can store it in a locked container in your car.

When you a driving with guns in your car you are not storing them so don't have to follow those sections. But if you leave your vehicle to urinate or buy fuel it is a grey area if it is still considered transporting or storing?


https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view ... 131#page74

[Wapiti]

Mate, appreciate what you're saying, but this is the issue with people googling information and telling others its gospel.
This isn't a shot at you, I know you've got best intentions and are not just trying to be the bloke with all the answers.

My licence, and not just issued once either, was accompanied by a fact sheet relating to my licence conditions and this is one thing that was quite clear, in black and white, regarding storage in a vehicle when not on the properties the firearm is licensed for use on, and being transported in public, and even when I'm permitted to move the firearm and to where.
I don't care what some generic conditions on a website say, definitely what some third party directs me to regard as my own conditions.

I recall when I first ever applied for this category, the website doesn't contain even half of the hurdles I had to jump over. And then came the AG's department. Yet reading it, I thought I knew it all too.

So to others reading this, please make sure for your own benefit that you understand and comply with specific conditions related to you.

[alexjones]

The website I posted is Queensland legislation IE the law. I suggest you read section 95 and 96.

Whatever factsheet they sent you is not Queensland law. It is their guideline and or policy.

The AG permit also is outside Queensland law as that is about importation.

The police are not above the law, they don’t tell us what to do. The law tells us what to do.

[Oldbloke]

Reading those sections a Bunnings toolbox with a padlock and trigger lock would most definitely comply. Cost $40 for box and lock. Trigger locks are cheap. Clearly no requirement to bolt it down.

Yes, police often spread BS.

[alexjones]

Reading those sections a Bunnings toolbox with a padlock and trigger lock would most definitely comply. Cost $40 for box and lock. Trigger locks are cheap. Clearly no requirement to bolt it down.

Yes, police often spread BS.

Proper basic requirements aren't they. I have read on here that in NSW they have to be tied down inside the car.

[Bugman]

Reading those sections a Bunnings toolbox with a padlock and trigger lock would most definitely comply. Cost $40 for box and lock. Trigger locks are cheap. Clearly no requirement to bolt it down.

Yes, police often spread BS.

Proper basic requirements aren't they. I have read on here that in NSW they have to be tied down inside the car.

Yep. Next thing you know, we will be required have a guard dog in the vehicle, in NSW.

[Wapiti]

The website I posted is Queensland legislation IE the law. I suggest you read section 95 and 96.

Whatever factsheet they sent you is not Queensland law. It is their guideline and or policy.

The AG permit also is outside Queensland law as that is about importation.

The police are not above the law, they don’t tell us what to do. The law tells us what to do.

Yeah I get that mate, but as HAS happened to us poor buggers out here, this stuff results in us having licenses suspended and then WE HAVE to have a day in court with the inevitable costs which we NEVER get back, and will then have the fight to get these difficult classes of license back, of ever.

I get you blokes think that what you do a google search on is probably right, and easy to play keyboard lawyer from the loungeroom, but it won't stop us that are in this boat copping this inevitable unnecessary cost and stress. We all know fellow farmers that have been stung here, you mightn't.

Imagine sitting in front of a magistrate with the cop handing over the fact sheet they sent me. And my defense being "someone on the internet gun forum said this is BS" Sorry and respectfully, you guys carry on being someone else's internet lawyers.

[on_one_wheel]

Anyhow, given the police had obviously not followed the letter of the law in regards to storage by leaving / storing their firearms in a vehicle for an extended period of time (possibly permanently) its likely carelessness and a disregard for the law its a cultural issue for many police departments, the whole "above the law" mindset.
Hopefully the inquiry reminds them that they too have a responsibility to keep their firearms secure but I have little faith.