Gun Safe State Regulations
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 :
Detailed State Requirements: Click Here
Category A & B
The firearm must be stored in a locked gun safe that is deemed not easily penetrable. Category A & B firearm safes may be constructed of hard wood or steel but it is suggested that all gun safes be made of steel. Should the safe weigh less than 150kg (when empty) it must be securely fixed to the framework of the premises. The safe locks must be of solid metal. Ammunition must be stored in a separate lockable container/compartment to that of any firearm.
Category C, D & H
Category C, D and H firearms must be stored in a locked steel gun safe. All safes containing Category C, D or H firearms must be securely fixed to the premises where the firearm is authorised to be kept. Ammunition must be stored in a separate lockable container/compartment to that of any firearm.
NSW
Detailed State Requirements: Click Here
Category A & B
The firearm must be stored in a locked gun safe that is deemed not easily penetrable. Category A & B firearm safes may be constructed of hard wood or steel but it is suggested that all gun safes be made of steel. Should the safe weigh less than 150kg (when empty) it must be securely fixed to the framework of the premises. The safe locks must be of solid metal. Ammunition must be stored in a separate lockable container/compartment to that of any firearm.
Category C, D & H
Category C, D and H firearms must be stored in a locked steel gun safe. All safes containing Category C, D or H firearms must be securely fixed to the premises where the firearm is authorised to be kept. The gun safe must be constructed of at least 3mm steel sheeting (longarms) and 6mm steel sheeting (pistols), be fitted with concealed hinges and a commercial quality flush mounted lock. The door must be no less than 6mm in thickness. Ammunition must be stored in a separate lockable container/compartment to that of any firearm.
N.T.
Detailed State Requirements: Click Here
Category A & B
The firearm must be stored in a locked gun safe that is deemed not easily penetrable with a recommended metal thickness of 3.0mm or more. Should the safe weigh less than 150kg (when empty) it must be securely fixed to the framework of the premises.
Category C, D & H
Category C, D and H firearms must be stored in a locked steel gun safe with a minimum 6mm thick metal door (3mm for remainder of cabinet, but 6mm all over recommended). Hinges must be non-removable and locks must be either combination/key/electronic or a combination of above. All safes must be securely fixed to the framework of the premises.
QLD
Detailed State Requirements: Click Here
Category A, B & C
Firearms must be stored 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. The bolt of the firearm must be removed or action broken upon storage.
Container must be kept locked with a sturdy combination lock, keyed lock or keyed padlock.
Category D & H
Category D and H firearms must be stored in a solid steel container, bolted to the frame or floor of a permanent building. The bolt of the firearm must be removed or action broken upon storage.
Container must be kept locked with a sturdy combination lock, keyed lock or keyed padlock.
S.A
Firearm changes 2017: 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. |
Level 1 Safe
• Minimum 2mm thick steel sides
• Minimum 2mm thick steel door
Level 2 Safe
• Minimum 3mm thick steel sides
• Minimum 3mm thick steel door
Minimum specifications
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.
Firearms and ammunition storage location
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 storage
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.
TASMANIA
NOTE: New Storage Laws in Tasmania commence 4 December 2017 – for more information on these changes and what they mean for you Click here.
Current State Requirements: Click Here
Category A & B
| CURRENT – Requirements: | FROM 4 DECEMBER 2017 – Requirements: |
|---|---|
| The firearm must be stored in a locked gun safe that is deemed not easily penetrable.
Should the safe weigh less than 150kg (when empty) it must be securely fixed to the framework of the premises. |
The firearm must be stored in a locked gun safe that is deemed not easily penetrable and made of metal at least 2mm thick or 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. |
Category C, D & H
| CURRENT – Requirements: | FROM 4 DECEMBER 2017 – Requirements: |
|---|---|
| Category C, D and H firearms must be stored in a locked gun safe that is deemed not easily penetrable (and not wooden).
All receptacles containing Category C, D or H firearms must be securely fixed to the floor or a wall. The receptacle must be constructed of at least 3mm steel sheeting, be fitted with concealed hinges and a commercial quality flush mounted lock. |
The firearm must be stored in a locked gun safe that is deemed not easily penetrable and made of metal at least 3mm thick or of concrete.
Receptacles must be fixed by masonry fixing bolts or coach screws (as appropriate): The lock on the receptacle must be an internal locking mechanism. The receptacle must have: |
W.A
Detailed State Requirements: Click Here
The firearm must be stored in a 2mm thick steel gun safe that is deemed not easily penetrable. The safe must be fixed to the framework of the premises via the floor and rear. It must be fixed securely and must house the firearms with a lock of sturdy construction. Ammunition storage must be in a separate lockable container/compartment to that of any firearm.
VICTORIA
Detailed State Requirements: Click Here
Category A, B, C, D & H
The firearm must be stored in a gun safe that is deemed not easily penetrable. Category A & B firearm safes can be constructed of hard wood or steel but suggest all gun safes be made of steel. Should the safe weigh less than 150kg (when empty) it must be securely fixed to the framework of the premises. It must be fixed securely and must house the firearms with a lock of sturdy construction.
Ammunition storage must be in a separate lockable container/compartment to that of any firearm.