Since August 2022, legislation has required firearm owners to store their firearms in a purpose-built receptacle to prevent theft.
In 2023, 318 firearms were stolen in Victoria, with most thefts occurring in regional communities. As a result, a number of those firearms ended up in the hands of criminals and were later used in serious crimes.
While most firearm licence holders are doing the right thing, police have cancelled and suspended many firearm licences in the past year due to poor storage practices.
To comply with legislation, firearms must be stored in a purpose-built steel storage receptacle, with the metal of the storage receptacle at least 1.6mm thick.
A receptacle that weighs less than 150kg when it is empty must be bolted to the structure of the premises.
Additionally, ammunition must be locked away in a separate all-purpose built storage receptacle.
Senior Sergeant of Eastern Division 3 Tasking and Coordination Heidi Twining said police would be enforcing firearm legislation and doing everything they could to keep the community safe.
“Local police, including divisional firearm officers, will be out conducting regular random inspections of your firearm storage and firearms,” she said.
“The community can rest assured that police will continue to do everything possible to reduce the impact of illicit firearms in the community.”
Victoria Police is also imploring all firearm owners to surrender their firearms if they do not have the capacity or the funds to store them correctly.
Ms Twining said that anyone could surrender unregistered firearms, firearm parts, and ammunition cartridges to their nearest police station, with no questions asked.
“We don’t want people to fear getting in trouble for handing something in. All we could ask is that if they are handing it into the police station, don’t just walk into the station,” she said.
“Call ahead of time or call from your car out the front and say, ‘I’m out the front of the police station and I have X number of firearms that I want to surrender.’
“It’s becoming busier in this area and coming into the holiday season we have a lot of people leaving their residences. Our farmers use their firearms like a tool and unfortunately, when they get stolen, they are used for serious crimes.”
Ms Twining added that anything that identified someone as an owner of firearms, such as stickers on a vehicle advertising recreational activities, was an invitation for thefts.
Firearms can also be surrendered at a licensed firearm dealer, and residents in Mitchell Shire can choose between Total Sports in ANZAC Avenue, Seymour, and Fat Rat Trading in Powlett Street, Kilmore.
