Firearms licence, to own a toy?

[lars573]

Yes that's right in Austrailia you need a firearms licence (sort of) to own a very specefic kind of toy. And it's a compromise to Auzzie customs grabbing and destroying it.

Here's the offending toy.

Masterpiece Megatron, from Transformers. But as you can see the problems arise when transformed. He's a really accurate replica of a Walther P-38. The version pictured is has been modified for sale in the US (the orange cap in the end of his barrel).

Little background story.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

TRANSFORMER TOY GUN CLASSED AS A REPLICA FIREARM

September 25, 2007

Police Minister David Campbell has warned that a Transformers toy gun has now been classified as a replica firearm by NSW Police, meaning strict penalties for anyone caught with the model.

Mr Campbell said the Megatron robot, banned from sale in Australia, can be transformed into a replica gun resembling a Walther P-38 pistol.

“Police tell me there is a growing trend of replica handguns being used in violent crimes, including armed robbery, assault and intimidation,” Mr Campbell said.

“When this Transformer gun is put side by side with a real firearm – it’s hard to tell the difference.

“In fact, this Megatron toy gun is more of a concern than standard replica firearms because it can be transformed into an innocent looking figurine.

“It looks just like a real gun and whilst it doesn’t fire bullets it can still be very dangerous.”

Mr Campbell said the NSW definition of a replica firearm was:

Any imitation or replica of a firearm in respect of which a licence or permit is required under the Firearms Act 1996 (including any imitation or replica pistol, blank fire pistol, shortened firearm, machine gun or sub-machine gun) unless it is of an approved type.

“We can’t stop companies making these dangerous toys but we ensure that when they do come into NSW they are classed as a prohibited weapon,” Mr Campbell said.

“The NSW Police Force Forensic Ballistics Unit has had a good look at the Megatron Transformer and found it to have similar features to existing firearms and replica firearms.

“NSW has taken this extra measure of declaring the Transformer as being replica firearm to ensure that it is not as simple as filling out a Customs form to get hold of one.

“Customs have declared this item a replica firearm but it has been up to NSW to make its own determination to ensure the strict license arrangements and penalties are in place.

“Now possession of the Megatron will be restricted to suitable persons by stringent weapons legislation, because of the danger it would pose in the wrong hands.”

Mr Campbell said that in order for a toy collector to legally own a Megatron in NSW they would now need to meet criteria equivalent to prohibited weapons holders, which include:

• Undergoing a criminal and probity check;
• Providing a genuine reason for ownership of the toy;
• Providing proof of membership to a collector’s club; and
• Abiding by safe storage, surrender and disposal requirements.

“Anyone meeting these standards will be able to apply for a permit. This recognises that there are genuine collectors of Transformers,” Mr Campbell said.

“I understand that the Firearms Registry will be helping toy collectors with the application process and will waiver the fee for the permit application.

“The emergence of these items again raises the issue of replica firearms and the lack of consistency across Australia when it comes to banning the sale of these dangerous items.

“The NSW Government wrote to all Australian police ministers earlier this year seeking agreement to a national regulation system which could reduce the number of offences being committed with replica firearms.

“We already have the country’s toughest laws surrounding the sale and possession of replica firearms, but we are being let down by other States and Territories whose rules are much more lax.

“I understand that the ACT, Tasmania and Western Australia have also determined that these items are in fact, replica firearms.

“I encourage toy collectors who have a question about their requirements under the Weapons Prohibition Act should they wish to own a Megatron Transformer to contact the Firearms Registry on

http://www.csapo.com.au/ttf/MP-05%20Press%20Release.doc

So to own this guy you have to meet 4 criteria.
• Undergoing a criminal and probity check;
• Providing a genuine reason for ownership of the toy;
• Providing proof of membership to a collector’s club; and
• Abiding by safe storage, surrender and disposal requirements.

So this guy in Austrailia created a special MP Megatron owners club to meet the 3rd criteria.

And I though Canada's gun laws were strict. Guess I was wrong.

[CountArach]

Wow. That is strict. I am very pro Gun Control, but this is ridiculous. Now the question I would be asking would be - is this because the gun is actually capable of firing? I would logically doubt it, but I'm still unsure.

[English assassin]

is this because the gun is actually capable of firing?

Umm, even in China they probably don't make children's toys that turn into REAL firearms. Lead paint, sharp springs, bits you can swallow, that's one thing, but 9mm slugs of death , probably not.

Australia seems to have even stricter laws than the UK does. Bad luck.

[lars573]

Actually the Auzzie gun laws are not quite as a all encompasing as the UK's yet. They're getting there though. But here in Canada replica firearms are outright banned. Your not allowed to have them at all. But Austrailian police/customs classed him as a replica gun and not a toy like he was here. Here he can be sold (if any hobby shop shelled out for the import tariffs) with no modifications at all.

Wow. That is strict. I am very pro Gun Control, but this is ridiculous. Now the question I would be asking would be - is this because the gun is actually capable of firing? I would logically doubt it, but I'm still unsure.

No it doesn't. The original Megatron toy did fire plastic pellets about the size and general shape of 9mm slug though. (needless to say western versions weren't sold with those) And it's oversized in gun mode too, being that in robot mode Megatron is a foot tall. So anyone holding it looks kind of funny with this giant pistol in their hands.


Oh yeah and that safe storage thing. It means a locked cabinet to keep him in at all times.

[English assassin]

So anyone holding it looks kind of funny with this giant pistol in their hands

.

Ah, but from a distance they might look like a midget with a normal sized gun. You can't be too careful if you are a gun control nut.

[Louis VI the Fat]

Ah, but from a distance they might look like a midget with a normal sized gun. You can't be too careful if you are a gun control nut.

Tsk, do you even realise how dangerous midgets with big guns are?

[CrossLOPER]

MEGATRON? Again?

[Ronin]

Wow. That is strict. I am very pro Gun Control, but this is ridiculous.

same here.....this thing doesn´t actually fire anything...this is just ridiculous..

you can´t control something just because it LOOKS like a gun


P.S.- this reminds me of a news story the week after September 11th about a guy in the states that was prevented from boarding an airplane because he was carrying a book to read on the plane that happened to have a bomb graphic on the cover.....just silly stuff.