FIREARM licensees gathered at the Main Corner earlier this week for an information session to determine how the new firearms legislation would affect them.
After several years of industry consultation, on July 1 this year the new Firearms Act 2015 and Firearms Regulations 2017 legislation became operative in South Australia.
Police Firearms Branch officer in charge Superintendent Kym Hand and Senior Sergeant Brendon Beh travelled to the region from Adelaide to host the forum, which focused on the security of firearms.
“We have changed the laws around security and it is a case of the higher the risk, the higher the responsibility of your security,” Supt Hand said.
“If you are an existing licence holder and you are currently storing your guns in lockers that no longer meet the standards, you are looking at a period of 12 months from when the laws commenced to transition.”
Around 40 gun owners who attended the evening on Monday were given the opportunity to ask questions and address concerns they might have about the new laws.
Mount Gambier Police officer in charge Senior Sergeant Chris King said the session was very helpful in reassuring firearm owners the law changes would not necessarily have a huge impact.
“The intent was to provide an understanding of the basis for the predominant changes and provide reassurance the impacts will be gradual and will acknowledge those that have sought a good level of security in the past,” Sr Sgt King said.
He said having experienced members from the firearms branch was beneficial to the community and police officers in the region.
“The firearms branch was very helpful,” Sr Sgt King said.
“They addressed the community and also conducted training and information sessions with local police at Naracoorte, Mount Gambier and Millicent.”
While the firearms branch have now moved onto other regions in the state, gun owners who missed the session can still get information from a range of different services.
“They have contact numbers for information via the internet, email and phone, but local police also have now received additional training on the changes and process to inform and educate the community,” Sr Sgt King said.
