Safe inspection advice

[pomemax]

Cops number every time your inspected you should but dont always get one if you have been inspected just ring up local station and get it .

[boingk]

NSW does a big load of inspections every 5 to 10 years

Now you even need a valid inspection to submit a PTA for a handgun.

Gotta admit, thats probably one of the few rules I agree with. If you don't have a Cat H safe for the things you plan on owning you really don't deserve to own them.

- boingk

[Rider888]

***Update***

NSW inspection went smoothly.

Started off with a tick and flick sheet where I was asked questions like why I have firearms. Answer was for Sporting and target shooting
Then he asked where my I keep my keys and I told him off site at work
Then he asked who else has access to my safe and I said just my wife and I and he was happy with all those answers
The we went on to checking off firearms serial numbers.
Then he took a quick look at the safe, no more than 5 seconds, to check the hinges
And that’s it. He didn’t push the safe or anything.
Overall a very smooth process.
The key to inspections is to be nice and not a jerk to the inspecting officer and things will go smoothly unless you are clearly not compliant in the first place

[boingk]

Awesome to hear mate, good stuff.

Pretty much nailed it with that last comment too I reckon.

Cheers - boingk

[pomemax]

Did he issue you with a COPS number or tell you to ring in and get it later

[boingk]

Can't get a number on the spot, should be issued it within 7 days. Can usually get it the same day if you ring in to the station.

- boingk

[womble]

If your wife is unlicensed she dose’nt get access to safe.
A better answer would be never seen that woman before in my life, how did she get in here, arrest her etc.
If she tries to make a run for it, well

[Gamerancher]

"my wife is also licenced" ( Rider888 )

[Rider888]

Did he issue you with a COPS number or tell you to ring in and get it later

No he gave me nothing

[Robin]

If they want to check my safe then I have no issues with it, as long as they have the correct ID and let me know first as my wife likes a tidy house when guest arrive.

[RoginaJack]

You funny person, Robin.

[Communism_Is_Cancer]

Would be a shame if the police rock up for an inspection just as you happened to crack open a beer. Legally you would not be allowed to open your secure storage and they would have to return at a later date or return with a warrant.

[RoginaJack]

Have you tested that dumb idea yet?

[RoginaJack]

PS And why do you think the police require a warrant?

[Communism_Is_Cancer]

PS And why do you think the police require a warrant?

Because the weapons act 1990 section 59 and the police powers and responsibilities act 2000 section 25 tell me so and I imagine NSW will be the same

Being under the influence of liquor in section 59 means you can not physically possess a firearm. Not even a footnote for "without a reasonable excuse". Just straight up no physical possession or use. Section 25 refers to "reasonable place and time". Being under the influence of liquor would not be reasonable.

The only way to override this would be with a warrant.

[Communism_Is_Cancer]

I don't agree with a lot of laws but I follow them until otherwise I can actively change them.

[dpskipper]

Can't argue with the facts, but you can argue with cops. I imagine most would not be amused when you tell them with a straight face your not opening the safe cuz you've had a coldie, but your not even slightly cross-eyed.

I have within close access to my safe a huge manilla folder with a print out of every firearm related law i can think off. with all the important bits highlighted. I encourage everyone to do the same too.

[Communism_Is_Cancer]

Mate I live by the old saying that you cant talk your self out of getting arrested. Be firm in your stance but Do not resist, let them arrest you and win it in the courts. If a cop wants to arrest you he will because most of them are not legal experts. They have a general idea about stuff but for the most part they are not experts in law.

I am rather interested in law so I take it upon myself as a hobby to learn it. I would dare say that if the police came to your door for a random inspection and you said no for reason xyz they would just call the Sargent back at the station and ask if this is ok and more than likely it will end there and they will just return in the morning.

Sorry copper I just popped a Viagra(that I have a prescription for) and it only has 2 hours of half life left. Come back in the morning because things are going to rough around here.

[boingk]

I am rather interested in law so I take it upon myself as a hobby to learn it. I would dare say that if the police came to your door for a random inspection and you said no...

NSW firearm law requires inspection at a time that is convenient and agreed upon by both parties.

You would be well within your rights to say 'no' if they just turned up. 99% of inspections are by prior arrangement, usually a few days if not a week in advance.

[UKgeoff]

Hi all,

I am a WA licensed firearm owner, with my father-in-law a Victorian licensed firearm owner, once boarders are open he will be coming over for a 2 month visit, he will be bringing a couple of his rifles with him. I have enough space in my safe (dont judge me haha) for him to store them while he is with us. Is this the best course of action? What in the VERY unlikely event WAPOL want to do a safe inspection while he was with us would be best to do?
Cheers all

[dpskipper]

Hi all,

I am a WA licensed firearm owner, with my father-in-law a Victorian licensed firearm owner, once boarders are open he will be coming over for a 2 month visit, he will be bringing a couple of his rifles with him. I have enough space in my safe (dont judge me haha) for him to store them while he is with us. Is this the best course of action? What in the VERY unlikely event WAPOL want to do a safe inspection while he was with us would be best to do?
Cheers all

Make sure whatever guns you put in your safe are guns you can legally posses. If your dad only has A/B guns and you have an A/B licence then your cool. If you have guns in your safe that he can't legally possess, then he can't have access. But to err on the safe side if the cops come around, show them your dads guns (on a temp permit in WA don't forget), show them your guns, and say only you have access to the safe. Makes things easier.

[UKgeoff]

Hi all,

I am a WA licensed firearm owner, with my father-in-law a Victorian licensed firearm owner, once boarders are open he will be coming over for a 2 month visit, he will be bringing a couple of his rifles with him. I have enough space in my safe (dont judge me haha) for him to store them while he is with us. Is this the best course of action? What in the VERY unlikely event WAPOL want to do a safe inspection while he was with us would be best to do?
Cheers all

Make sure whatever guns you put in your safe are guns you can legally posses. If your dad only has A/B guns and you have an A/B licence then your cool. If you have guns in your safe that he can't legally possess, then he can't have access. But to err on the safe side if the cops come around, show them your dads guns (on a temp permit in WA don't forget), show them your guns, and say only you have access to the safe. Makes things easier.

Cheers mate, i know its highly unlikely but always worth checking.

Cheers for the advice.

[Communism_Is_Cancer]

Make sure his guns are legal in WA too. Also could store them at gun store if you have too.

[JohnV]

PS And why do you think the police require a warrant?

Because the weapons act 1990 section 59 and the police powers and responsibilities act 2000 section 25 tell me so and I imagine NSW will be the same

Being under the influence of liquor in section 59 means you can not physically possess a firearm. Not even a footnote for "without a reasonable excuse". Just straight up no physical possession or use. Section 25 refers to "reasonable place and time". Being under the influence of liquor would not be reasonable.

The only way to override this would be with a warrant.

On my first safe inspection I was away on holidays for some time and the Police were trying to contact me .
Anyway the day we arrived home the Police rang and this abusive woman started grilling me where had I been and wanting to inspect the safe immediately like arriving in 10 minutes time . I was taken back by the aggression of this person and said no ? sorry I have had a few drinks and legally I can't open my safe or handle a firearm . That changed her tune . Then it was ok sir when would it be convenient . I said tomorrow at 10 AM . The next inspection organised properly was a Police Inspector no less and he was a real gentleman and everything went smoothly . They can't force you to break the law .

[JS2600]

Does anybody know if they are allowed to just lob without notice for an inspection?
And if not, can you refer me to a document saying so,

Thanks

[dpskipper]

Does anybody know if they are allowed to just lob without notice for an inspection?
And if not, can you refer me to a document saying so,

Thanks

Firearms Act 1973 (West Australia) Section 23 subsection 9 part E:

(9) A person who, —
being responsible for the storage of any firearm or
ammunition, refuses to permit a member of the Police
Force to inspect the storage facilities provided, at a
reasonable time after such an inspection is requested in
writing by the member of the Police Force,
commits an offence.
Penalty:
(a) for a first offence, a fine of $2 000;
(b) for a subsequent offence, imprisonment for
12 months or a fine of $4 000.


It is common practice yes for them to rock up unannounced. But you are within rights to tell them to bugger off. They need to provide you a date in writing.

[No1_49er]

I think we need to be a bit cautious here.
The question was from JS2600, whose profile indicates that they are in NSW.
dpskipper (profile Victoria) has responded to the fairly specific question with info' from the WA Firearms ACT.
WTF?
I think that the best place to start would be the NSW Act and/or Regulations !!

[dpskipper]

WTF?

Don't get your nickers in a twist mate. I was confused for a second who i was responding too, as further up in the thread is a WA guy.

If you read the NSW act, its all much the muchness. All the states are in line. You can refuse an inspection if you have a "reasonable" excuse, and can postpone it to another agreed time.


So to the OP whos reply I stuffed up, the law is Firearms Act 1996, Section 19 part C:
(c) the licensee must, in accordance with such arrangements as are agreed on by the licensee and the Commissioner, or, in the case of a licensed firearms dealer, at any reasonable time, permit inspection by a police officer (or such other person as may be prescribed by the regulations) of the licensee’s facilities in respect of the storage and safe keeping of the firearms in the licensee’s possession,

[Bugman]

Does anybody know if they are allowed to just lob without notice for an inspection?
And if not, can you refer me to a document saying so,

Thanks

I had not had safe inspection for quite a few years. I think I fell through the cracks, so I contacted my local Police Station, explained the situation. The copper came out the next day and all good.

[bladeracer]

Can't argue with the facts, but you can argue with cops. I imagine most would not be amused when you tell them with a straight face your not opening the safe cuz you've had a coldie, but your not even slightly cross-eyed.

I have within close access to my safe a huge manilla folder with a print out of every firearm related law i can think off. with all the important bits highlighted. I encourage everyone to do the same too.

I don't drink, but I would hope most people are able to crack a can without immediately going cross-eyed
The law doesn't allow you to handle firearms if you have any intoxicant on-board, any. Not like driving where it's fine to be half drunk.