Any person in possession of a firearm must take all reasonable precautions to ensure the firearm is kept safely, is not lost or stolen and does not come into the possession of an unauthorised person. In addition to this general safe keeping requirement, there are specific legislative requirements for the safe keeping and storage of firearms that you should familiarise yourself with. We have listed out requirements below, that are correct as of July 2023, however it is your responsibility to check with your local laws to make sure you are meeting the required regulations.
Detailed State Requirements: Click Here
Detailed State Requirements: Click Here
Section 40 of the Firearms Act 1996 (the Act) provides mandatory minimum requirements for the safe keeping and storage of firearms held under a Category A and B licence as follows:
Section 41 of the Act provides mandatory minimum requirements for the safe keeping and storage of firearms held under a Category C, D and H licence as follows:
Detailed State Requirements: Click Here
Recommended metal thickness of 3.0mm or more. Thinner materials will be considered on an individual inspection basis where the construction method is sufficient to ensure rigidity or where the cabinet has additional reinforcing to prevent distortion. Materials of less than 2.0mm will not be considered.
Detailed State Requirements: Click Here
In a locked container constructed of solid steel or solid timber, and securely fixed to the frame or floor of a permanent building if the container weighs less than 150kg.
Container must be kept locked with a sturdy combination lock, keyed lock or keyed padlock.
In a solid steel container, bolted to the frame or floor of a permanent building.
Container must be kept locked with a sturdy combination lock, keyed lock or keyed padlock.
Detailed State Requirements: Click Here
New firearms legislation (including storage requirement updates) came into effect on 1 July 2017. An outline is provided below, however comprehensive updates can be found here Click Here
Aggregate number of firearms | Minimum security level and requirements |
---|---|
1-19 firearms (category A or B firearms only) | Level 1 safe; or Prescribed safe if licence holder on 1 July 2017 (needs written confirmation of Registrar) |
1-19 firearms (where at least one firearm is a category C, D or H firearm) | Level 2 safe; or Level 1 safe (needs written confirmation of Registrar); or Prescribed safe if existing licence holder on 1 July 2017 (needs written confirmation of Registrar) |
20-34 firearms (firearms of any category, but must be less than 30 category H) | Level 2 safe with the premises installed with a working CCTV or working intruder alarm system. |
35-49 firearms (firearms of any category, but must be less than 30 category H) | Level 2 safe with the premises installed with a working CCTV system and a working intruder alarm system. |
50+ firearms of any category; or 30+ category H firearms | Strongroom with the premises installed with a working CCTV system and a working intruder alarm system. |
Safes and strongrooms are required to be built to minimum specifications (e.g. certain locks and hinges required) or in some other manner approved by the Registrar – for further information refer to clauses 2 and 11, Schedule 1 of the Firearms Regulations or the Firearms section on SAPOL’s website.
Unless approved otherwise by the Registrar, firearms and ammunition must be stored at your principal place of residence; or if you possess the firearm for the purpose of your business, your principal place of business. Written advice to the Registrar is required prior to a change of location.
Ammunition must be stored separately from firearms in a strongly made timber, metal, fibreglass or injection moulded hard thermoplastic container with a substantial locking and hinge mechanism.
NOTE: New Storage Laws in Tasmania commence 4 December 2017 – for more information on these changes and what they mean for you. Click Here
According to the Tasmanian Firearms Services webpage; storage of Category A∓B firearms must follow the below requirements.
If a firearm or firearm part is not being used, maintained, or conveyed it must be stored in a locked receptacle.
Receptacles must not be easily penetrable;
Receptacles must be made
a) of metal at least 2mm thick for Category A or B firearms and firearm parts; or
b) of concrete;
Receptacles that weigh less than 150kg (when empty) must be fixed by masonry fixing bolts or coach screws (as appropriate):
a) at least twice to a wall and at least twice to the floor; or
b) at least four times to either a wall or a floor;
In a manner that prevents easy removal;
The lock on the receptacle must be an internal locking mechanism.
The receptacle must have:
a) an internal hinging mechanism; or
b) a mechanism that, when the receptacle is locked, would prevent the door from being opened if the hinges were removed.
Click Here To Read The Full Safe Requirements >>
According to the Tasmanian Firearms Services webpage; storage of Category C, D ∓ H firearms must follow the below requirements.
Receptacles must not be easily penetrable.
Receptacles must be made
a) of metal at least 3mm thick for Category C, D or H firearms and firearm parts; or
b) of concrete.
Receptacles which weigh less than 150kgs, must be fixed by masonry fixing bolts or coach screws (as appropriate):
a) at least twice to a wall and at least twice to the floor; or
b) at least four times to either a wall or a floor;
In a manner that prevents easy removal.
The lock on the receptacle must be an internal locking mechanism.
The receptacle must have:
a) an internal hinging mechanism; or
b) a mechanism that, when the receptacle is locked, would prevent the door from being opened if the hinges were removed.
– – –
Additional Requirements for Category H Firearms or Where 10 or More Firearms are Stored:
Where any Category H firearm, or ten or more firearms of any category, are stored at a premises, the premises or storage receptacle must be equipped with an electronic security device that is:
a) designed to prevent, detect or deter any unauthorised entry;
b) capable of detecting any unauthorised entry; and
c) maintained and in proper working order.
The electronic security device may be either an alarm or a visual recording device, and:
a) if an alarm, must be either audible or monitored; or
b) if a visual recording device:
– must record to a storage device any activity where the receptacle is located;
– the storage device must not be located near the receptacle; and
– the recorded visual recordings must be of sufficient quality to identify people in the vicinity of the receptacle.
Click Here To Read The Full Safe Requirements >>
Detailed State Requirements: Click Here
Detailed State Requirements: Click Here
From 30 August 2022, the following must be met to ensure compliance with the law:
Detailed Requirements: Click Here
All firearms licences are subject to conditions that require the safe and secure storage of their firearms. There are additional conditions that apply to endorsement holders in relation to pistols, prohibited firearms, prohibited magazines and restricted weapons.