Victoria Police Licencing and Regulation Division (LRD) has an important message for Victorian firearm owners regarding the rise in organised crime and the importance of firearm safety.
SSAA Victoria regularly meets with LRD to advance the interests of licensed firearm owners, both informally and through the Firearm Users Group and the Victorian Firearm Consultative Committee.
Firearm owners should also be aware of the changes to safe storage that come into place on 30 August.
Message from LRD
Dear licensed firearm holder
The Licensing and Regulation Division (LRD) would like to bring to the attention of all licenced firearm holders the importance of being vigilant in the safe keeping of firearms. There is an emerging trend within the state, whereby organised crime groups are utilising online firearm sale portals as a scoping mechanism to gather intelligence and identify individuals with firearms. This is resulting in licensed firearm holders who are selling firearms or firearm parts and clubs that have a large portion of firearms on site becoming targets of organised crime.
LRD would like to emphasise the importance of maintaining the safety of all firearms in your possession and recommends that if selling a firearm or firearm parts on an online portal that you met a prospective buyer at a Licensed Firearm Dealer (LFD) or Firearm Club. This will ensure that you can maintain both your privacy and the safe keeping of firearms in your possession.
Additionally, licensed firearm holders should be aware that only authorised personal, meaning Victoria Police members from LRD or local police stations, can undertake firearm safe inspections. Non-authorised personal cannot legally inspect your firearm safe and should be prohibited from entering your premises. If you are approached or directed by a non-authorised person, please contact LRDs Compliance Enforcement Unit (LRD-REGULATIONSUPPORTUNIT-OIC@police.vic.gov.au).
Kind regards
Licensing and Regulation Division
Regulatory Services Department
Victoria Police
