by Gamerancher » 04 Mar 2022, 8:02 am
Ahh, this question yet again. The requirements are pretty well stated on the fact sheet on the NSW police website as follows:[
i]What are the legislative requirements for transporting Category A & B firearms?
Category A & B firearms must be conveyed in accordance with the following requirements—
• The firearm must be conveyed in a manner that ensures compliance with section 39 of the Act (see above),
• The firearm must not be loaded with any ammunition while it is being conveyed,
• While the firearm is being conveyed in a vehicle it must not be
visible from outside the vehicle.
NOTE: At no time should a firearm be left stored unattended in a motor
vehicle unless the firearms are stored in accordance with the
requirements of category C, D & H firearms and no other alternative safe
storage is available.
What are the legislative requirements in relation to
transportation of category C, D & H firearms?
Category C, D & H firearms must be conveyed unloaded, with the
ammunition kept in a locked container separate from the firearms.
The firearm must be rendered temporarily incapable of being fired (e.g.
by removal of the bolt/firing mechanism or the use of trigger locks) or
must be kept in a locked container that is properly secured to, or is within the vehicle.[/i]
I don't know how it can be stated any clearer.
A couple of points to ponder.
There are scumbags who break into cars.
There are low-life's that steal cars.
If you are prepared to just do the minimum, which is perfectly legal, be prepared to suffer the consequences if things go pear shaped.
Imagine the following scenario;
You just drop into Bunnings, Woolies, etc. on your way home and grab a couple of things you need, you come out to find that some ar$ehole has smashed your side window and your rifle that was sitting on the floor under a blanket is gone. Be prepared to suffer the consequences of not taking "all reasonable precautions". The fact that someone was able to take your rifle will be deemed by the police that you failed to secure it.
I have too much invested in my gear to take a risk like that. It doesn't take much effort to remove the bolt, or apply a trigger lock , lock the firearms in a case that is secured to the vehicle via a cable and lock. If you don't have a lockable case or one won't fit in your vehicle, a cable through the action and secured to the vehicle structure, ( seat frame, boot hinge, etc. ) Lever guns can be secured with a cable looped around the action and through the lever. I always loop the cable back through the eye and then around the structure and locked with a quality padlock, not a $5 Chinese special.
The legislation in NSW used to state that if you transported firearms in accordance with commercial standards for C,D & H, it would be considered that you took "all reasonable precautions". I travel around Australia when competing and have always taken this approach, been inspected a few times by authorities and always been told that what I was doing was more than adequate.