Safekeeping of weapons

Placing weapons in safekeeping

Section 36 of the Weapons Act 1990 allows a person to possess a weapon on a temporary basis for a period not exceeding six months.  After the six month period, the licence holder safekeeping the weapons will be required to appropriately dispose of the weapon/s with the consent of the owner.

The licence holder must ensure that the person safekeeping their weapons holds a licence for the category of weapon. 

An unregistered weapon cannot be held in safekeeping by a licence holder.  The weapon must first be registered.

A dealer/armourer can safekeep both a registered weapon, and accept an unregistered weapon for registration.  The dealer will advise Weapons Licensing that the weapon is held at their premises for safekeeping.   

Your weapon/s can be held in safekeeping by a licensed weapons dealer or armourer for an indefinite period.

After the 6 months safekeeping period

The person safekeeping the weapons must with the consent of the owner:

• Deliver the weapon to a licensed dealer for consignment sale or safekeeping, or
• Surrender the weapon to your local police station, or
• Return the weapon to the registered owner, if they hold a current licence, or
• If the weapon is to be acquired by another licensed person, a permit to acquire (PTA) must be obtained for the weapon. The weapon cannot be put into safekeeping with another licence holder and must be disposed by one of the above methods until the PTA has been approved.

Buying a weapon in safekeeping

(i.e. the weapon is stored with a disposer who is not the registered owner)

From a licensed individual

If the person you are buying the weapon from is not the registered owner of the weapon, you will be required to supply a signed Letter of Authority from the registered owner giving permission for you to acquire the weapon.

 Letter of Authority must include all weapon details and be signed by the owner of the firearm.

From a weapons dealer

If you are purchasing a weapon through a licensed weapons dealer, check whether the weapon is being held by them in safekeeping or whether the registered owner has authorised them to sell it.

If the weapon is being held in safekeeping, then a letter of authority is required. The letter must be from the registered owner and must include details of the weapon and authorising the sale and disposal of the weapon by the licensed dealer.

From a police station

If you are acquiring a registered firearm from a police station, then a letter of authority must be supplied. The letter must be from the registered owner and must include details of the weapon and authorising the sale and disposal of the weapon.