Arms Act 1983 Flashcards
Firearm Definition
Section 2
Arms Act 1983
‘Firearm’ means anything from which any shot, bullet, missile, or other projectile can be discharged by force of explosive and includes:
- anything that has been adapted so that it can be used to discharge a shot, bullet, missile, or other projectile by force of explosive; or
- anything which is not for the time being capable of discharging any shot, bullet, missile, or other projectile but which by its completion or the replacement of any component parts or the correction or repair of any defects would be a firearm; or
- anything (otherwise being a firearm) which is for the time being dismantled or partially dismantled; or
- any especially dangerous air gun.
Airgun definition
Section 2
Arms Act 1983
‘Airgun’ includes any:
- air rifle
- air pistol
- weapon from which, by the use of gas or compressed air (and not by force of explosive) any shot, bullet, missile, or other projectile can be discharged.
Imitation Firearm
Section 2
Arms Act 1983
‘Imitation firearm’ means anything that has the appearance of being a firearm, whether or not it is capable of discharging any shot, bullet, etc.
Pistol Definition
Section 2
Arms Act 1983
‘Pistol’ means any firearm that is:
- designed, or
- adapted
to be held and fired with one hand and includes any firearm that is less than 762mm in length.
Restricted Weapon
Section 2
Arms Act 1983
‘Restricted weapon’ refers to any weapon declared a restricted weapon by the Governor-General.
Some examples are:
- Molotov cocktails
- grenades
- rocket launchers.
Explosives
Section 2
Arms Act 1983
An ‘explosive’ is any substance capable of exploding or producing a pyrotechnic effect.
Some examples are:
- dynamite
- TNT
- marine distress flares.
Military Style Semi Automatic Firearms Defined
(MSSA)
Section 2
Arms Act 1983
‘Military style semi-automatic firearm’ means:
a) a firearm which, after being loaded, fires, ejects, and chambers a cartridge with each pull of the trigger; but
b) does not include:
i) a pistol, or
ii) a semi-automatic firearm that, with its magazine (if any), is maintained at all times in a sporting configuration.
Apart from the above definition, an MSSA must also have one or more of the following:
- a folding or telescopic butt
- bayonet lugs
- a flash suppressor
- a free-standing pistol grip
- a magazine capable of holding, or which appears capable of holding:
− more than 15 .22 calibre cartridges
− more than seven cartridges of any other calibre.
Any semi-automatic firearm that does not have any of the features listed above is in a ‘sporting configuration’. Therefore, it is not classed as an MSSA.
Firearms Licence Categories
Arms Act 1983
- License must be renewed every 10 years
Categories
A - Full licence for the possession and use of conventional firearms (not pistols, restricted weapons or MSSAs)
B - Pistols, providing the owner is a member of a pistol club
C - Collections, restricted weapons and use of weapons in theatrical performances
- *D -** Firearms dealers
- *E -** Military style semi-automatic firearms
Firearms VS Airgun Licences
Arms Act 1983
0 - 16 - Cannot own a firearm or air gun but can use one under immediate supervision.
16 - 18 - Requires a licence for both a firearm and an air gun.
Over 18 - Requires a licence for a firearm but no licence for an air gun.
Section 40
Power to Demand Particulars
Arms Act 1983
Every person in possession of any:
- firearm,
- air gun,
- pistol, or
- restricted weapon
shall, on demand, give their:
- full name,
- address, and
- date of birth
- to any member of the police who is in uniform or who produces evidence that they are a member of the police.
Section 40(2)
Refusal to give Particulars
Arms Act 1983
If any person refuses to give those details or gives false particulars, any member of the police may:
a) caution the person; and
b) if the person persists in such refusal or fails or continues to fail to give the correct particulars, arrest the person without warrant.
Remember: This power of arrest can be enforced only after the offender has been warned about the consequences of a failure or refusal.
Section 40
Possession Definition
Arms Act 1983
Possession
- having physical hold of the thing, or
- having it in a bag they are carrying, or
- having it in a vehicle they are driving
- unless they can prove it is someone else’s property or in someone else’s possession (refer to section 66)
Unlawful Carrying
Section 45
Arms Act 1983
Except for some lawful proper and sufficient purpose
Without legal right or justification, or genuine reasonable excuse in the circumstances.
Carries
Actually has the weapon on or about him or her.
OR
Is in possession of
In their possession or under their control.
Firearm
Anything from which a shot, bullet, or other projectile can be discharged by force of explosive.
OR
Airgun
Anything which is capable of discharging projectiles by the use of gas or compressed air.
OR
Pistol
Any firearm designed or adapted to be held and fired with one hand and includes any firearm under 762mm long.
OR
Restricted Weapon
Any weapon declared as a restricted weapon by the Governor General eg Molotov cocktails.
OR
Explosives
Any substance capable of exploding or producing a pyrotechnic effect.
Carrying an imitation firearm
Section 46(1)
Arms Act 1983
Except for some lawful proper and sufficient purpose
Without legal right or justification, or genuine reasonable excuse in the circumstances
Carries
Actually has the weapon on or about them
An imitation firearm
Anything that has the appearance of being a firearm
Discharging Firearm Without Reasonable Cause
Section 48(a) OR 48(b)
Arms Act 1983
Without reasonable cause
No genuine or reasonable excuse depending on the circumstances.
Discharges
Fires, or releases or lets go.
A firearm
Anything from which a shot, bullet, or other projectile can be discharged by force of explosive.
OR
Airgun
Anything which is capable of discharging projectiles by the use of gas or compressed air.
OR
Pistol
Any firearm designed or adapted to be held and fired with one hand and includes any firearm under 762mm long.
OR
Restricted weapon
Any weapon declared as a restricted weapon by the Governor General eg Molotov Cocktails.
In or near a dwelling house
Inside or in the near vicinity of a residence or place of abode.
OR
In or near a public place
So as to endanger property
OR
So as to endanger any person
OR
So as to annoy any person
OR
So as to frighten any person
To put the property of another at risk of damage.
OR
So as to endanger any person
To put the person at risk of injury.
OR
So as to annoy any person
So as to distress a person
OR
So as to frighten any person
So as to scare a person