Adams_BJ wrote:
Jay wrote:
How are you not responsible without registration? How does it really change anything? You're not allowed to kill people whether it's registered or not.
I believe you have an ethical responsibility, but not legal responsibility. Not very scary is it. Since you may not be familiar with what I am talking about here I will run you through the process of initially getting your first firearm her in AU.
Do a long arm safety course, and get a piece of paper saying that you have completed it. Fill out a licence application, with some proof of ID, your safety certificate, genuine reason etc etc. Once you have been approved you get a permit to acquire. This is a form that you would fill to let the relevant folks know what you intend to buy, they make sure you have the relevant licences to have it, and approve it. Then you take that to the gun dealer and buy your gun. Sometime between getting your licence and your PTA, the police may book in to see your site for safe keeping. They book in advance, and when they turn up you take them directly to the safe (they don't poke around your whole house). If everything is in order they say "cool" and leave you alone. Now you have your gun, and when not in use you put it in your safe. You generally get left alone unless your firearm is reported stolen or it is used in a crime. In some cases they may book to check periodically, however it's likely to be once every 5 or so years.
In the event that it is stolen, they will check your site of safe keeping. If it is apparent that someone has broken into your safe, they will file a report as normal, and there is no repercussions for you. If it is apparent that there was no tampering for the safe, then it is was not safely and properly stored (no kept in the safe, safe not locked etc) and then you may be issued with a fine or something similar to demerit point for a drivers licence. This may impede on your ability to purchase another firearm. Same if it gets stolen and you don't report it.
Long story short, it is your responsibility to keep the gun stored safely when not in use. You are free to not do so if you wish, however if you do not and it is stolen or used in a crime, you will bear some of the responsibility. I believe the repercussions only go as far as your ability to purchase firearms, not jail time or our equivalent of a 'felony'.
The whole process isn't that hard or that long.
