Gun owners are being urged to ensure their guns are correctly stored to stop them from getting into the hands of criminals.
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Eastern Region Division 3 divisional firearms officer Leading Senior Constable Dean Lloyd wants owners to check that their gun storage complies with law changes that took effect in August 2022.
Under the law, guns must be stored in a purpose-built gun safe with internal locks and hinges.
If the safe weighs less than 150kg when empty, it must be bolted to the floor, wall, or both, Leading Sen Constable Lloyd said.
It does not have to be bolted down if it weighs more than this.
He also urged gun owners to think about where they put their gun safe and not to have it where it could easily be seen by people passing by.
“Try not to have them in view of a public place,” he said.
“Try to put it out of sight.”
He also reminded hunters to ensure their guns were stored correctly in their vehicles during duck and deer hunting seasons.
“They must be locked in a vehicle when you are away from the vehicle or are camping,” he said.
He said the Game Management Authority had a good video about safely storing firearms while in the field.