Another Transportation Question.

[adam]

Looking on the Vicpol website, I notice that:

Cartridge ammunition should be stored separately from the firearms in a part of the vehicle not readily accessible by an unauthorised person.

Source: http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.as ... t_ID=36210

Does this mean that I can't put my firearms and ammunition in the same compartment, (ie the boot in case of a car, or in the front in case of the ute) - even if the firearms and ammunition are in separate locked cases?

I've always felt more comfortable having everything out of sight in the boot of a car as opposed to having to have either the ammo box or firearm in the car with me. Likewise in a ute - there's only one lockable compartment. (Glovebox doesn't lock - and would be too small anyway)...

[AusTac]

right or wrong the way i interprete it is gun/s in the back ammo on the back seat (if practical ) i have a 2 seat 4wd which im lucky to fit my big case in, and if no passenger ammo on the floor covered in a locked box, if passenger ammo in locked box covered along with the other stuff, no other choice, i'm afraid - ute well lock box or get creative kinda left high and dry on that one those with utes will have better advice

[No1Mk3]

In a ute, rifle behind the seat, ammo in a locked container on the floor, preferably not with gun stickers on it. If it won't go behind the seat then just lean it on the seat. If you have a tonneu, under that with ammo in the cab. The Police want you to use your common sense and not have everything where an opportunistic thief can grab both firearm and ammo. Remember, the onus is on you to prevent theft, so always try to exceed the minimum. Buy a tool box and bolt it to the floor of the ute.

[on_one_wheel]

" should be " not, must be or shall be ... remember that, it will hold up in court if challenged.

[Bourt]

The information posted on the various state police websites is often incomplete or in a lot of cases completely meaningless.

The law is what's written in your states firearms act, or other acts.

There are things you 'must' or 'must not' do. There is no 'should' in law or your requirements or obligations.

Do a search in the firearms act whenever you want to know something.

[WayneO]

Reading the act and that link, it is my understanding that as long as the firearm and the ammo are in separate containers and the containers are locked (bags may also be locked) then both containers or container and bag can be kept in the locked trunk of a car.
Or am i missing something.

[happyhunter]

You're not missing a thing. As long as they are in a seperate container and not easily accessible you are within the act.

[Rakk]

Don't quote me on it because I'm not a local but these (with a padlock) seem to be the favourite looking at peoples photos.

ammunition-can.jpg (40.29 KiB) Viewed 3597 times

[WayneO]

This is probably the best way to transport your rifles and Ammo for those us who only own D/Cabs.
https://www.facebook.com/Front-Runner-O ... 343059150/

[Mr.Seacucumber]

I keep the ammo in a box with the bolt of the rifle and in a ,locked container and the rifle in a bag. I think that's reasonable.

[WayneO]

What I like about the draws is that they are not only safe, but they are not bouncing around and they are nice and secure. As the tailgate of the Triton locks, its an added security measure and makes my little angels that much safer.

[<<Genesis93>>]

Im surprised the police 'advice' doesnt end with....."or just do the right thing and leave the guns at home..."

[happyhunter]

Im surprised the police 'advice' doesnt end with....."or just do the right thing and leave the guns at home..."

I know people that after years of gun ownership, due to all the crap they had to do just to stay within the law they just gave up and sold the lot.

[AusTac]

Im surprised the police 'advice' doesnt end with....."or just do the right thing and leave the guns at home..."

I know people that after years of gun ownership, due to all the crap they had to do just to stay within the law they just gave up and sold the lot.

Thats exactly what the police want

[<<Genesis93>>]

Im surprised the police 'advice' doesnt end with....."or just do the right thing and leave the guns at home..."

I know people that after years of gun ownership, due to all the crap they had to do just to stay within the law they just gave up and sold the lot.

I've heard that countless times over the years, either give up or simply do not take up a licence and gun ownership to avoid the grief; and discouraging new shooters is one of the 'planks' or objectives of the licensing regime ....the police and related authorities and agencies are concerned at the number of shooters and 'registered firearms' particularly.... and THATS why we need an 'authority' that is independent of the law enforcement departments to administer the licensing and regulation system... The criminal element of firearm use should remain with police, there is a clear distinction between the two, lawful firearms and licensed use as opposed to illicit firearms and non-lawful use - trouble is those two have been so heavily intertwined, by the police AND obviously the media...

Whenever another bootload of firearms is found, invariably unregistered and what would be prohibited under the licensing system, the message delivered is invariably the concern with firearms numbers, never distinguishing between legal or illicit....

Take this present example on board; there is little detail covering the transport of firearms and ammo, just keep them 'safe and secure' when using or traveling, yet the police publish a spiel even mentioning the disabling of the firearm!!!??

What nonsense.

The only sections dealing with carriage detail as follows;

VICTORIA - FIREARMS ACT 1996 -
SECT 132 Offences about the carriage and the use of firearms

(1) A person must not carry or use a firearm if that person is under the influence of intoxicating liquor or a drug.

Penalty: 120 penalty units or 2 years imprisonment.

(2) A person must not, for the purpose of committing an indictable offence, carry a firearm which is concealed from view.

Penalty: 240 penalty units or 4 years imprisonment.

So dont drink or commit a crime while transporting your guns....... common sense

SECT 130
Offence to carry or use a firearm in certain places

(1) A person must not carry a loaded firearm or use a firearm in a town or populous place or on any thoroughfare or place open to or used by the public for passage with vehicles.

Penalty: 60 penalty units or 12 months imprisonment.

So don't carry your guns loaded, or use them where you shouldnt..... more common sense

And;

SECT 126

Safekeeping of firearms and cartridge ammunition while being carried or used

(1) A person who is carrying or using a category A or B longarm must—

(a) ensure that the firearm is carried and used in a manner that is secure and is not dangerous; and

(b) must take reasonable precautions to ensure that the firearm is not lost or stolen.

Penalty: 60 penalty units or 12 months imprisonment.
.
.[cat C/D/E deleted]
.
(4) A person who is carrying or using cartridge ammunition must—

(a) ensure that the cartridge ammunition is carried and used in a manner that is secure and is not dangerous; and

(b) must take reasonable precautions to ensure that the cartridge ammunition is not lost or stolen.

Penalty: 60 penalty units or 12 months imprisonment.

Thats it. .... So the question remains, what do these term mean?

Perhaps the legal types may wish to comment, but with reference to the definitions from Black's Law Dictionary;

DANGEROUS PER SE
the term given to something that is dangerous and can cause injury without any human intervention.

Is an unloaded firearm resting in the passenger footwell, leaning against the seat, or a closed box of ammunition, even 20 loose rounds on the seat, or in say an Ice cream container.... dangerous? No.

Will they be lost or stolen while you're sitting in the car with them? Unlikely.

Would your presence in the car represent a reasonable precaution to prevent to loss or theft? Yes.

'Secure' in the 'legal' as far as I can tell relates to financial instruments, guarantees of payment obligations etc, otherwise the use of the word is synonymous with 'safe'.

SAFE
The amount of exposure that will cause no harm or damage after exposure.

Will the 'exposure' of/to the firearm and ammo as described cause harm? Obviously not, so its safe.