Megatron Gun Club renewals

[Fungal Infection]

I just got a renewal notice from the NSW Firearms registry that states I need to renew my permit for my MP Megatron. It also states I need to include a payment of $127 for the permit to be renewed. Is this right???? I thought when we originally signed up for the permits we were exempt from the fee because of the nature of the item (toy). Has this changed? Anyone here renewed their permit and come across this?

[griffin]

That sucks if you now need to pay a (regular) fee to continue owning certain TFs toys. And since they have you on file now as replica-gun owners, they could well chase after you if you don't renew, asking for proof that you got rid of the toys, or else charge you for not being licensed.

Revenue raising can add fees to anything that was free in the past, especially after a change of government... :(

Obama did that with the Visa-waiver program (to visit America from Australia). Before he was elected, it was free... but now you have to pay $14-24.

[Krayt]

I've just read through the list of Prohibited items, and imitation weapons are no longer prohibited in NSW.

In fact, it says this:

Clause 3(1):
Any object that substantially duplicates in appearance a weapon referred to in clause 1A(1), but not including
an object that is produced and identified as a children's toy.

(And so you know, here's Clause (1A)(1):
Any bomb, grenade, rocket, missile or mine or other similar device (such as a tear gas canister) that is in the
nature of, or that expels or contains an explosive, incendiary, irritant, gas or smoke, and whether or not it is
live, has been deactivated or is spent. 'Bomb' includes a device known as an Improvised Explosive Device
(or IED).)

Also checked the Imitation Firearms Factsheet...

What is an imitation firearm?
An imitation firearm is defined in section 4D of the Act as an object that, regardless of its colour, weight or composition
or the presence or absence of any moveable parts, substantially duplicates in appearance a firearm but that is not a
firearm. An imitation firearm does not include anything that is produced and identified as a children's toy.

How is a child's toy distinguished from an imitation firearm?
A child's toy would be distinguished from an imitation firearm by the packaging, targeted sale market (ie sold in a toy
store, marked for ages 3+ etc), the materials the toy is made from, the general appearance or the functioning of the toy
(for example, a water pistol). The onus is on the person in possession of the item and if there is any doubt they may
seek advice from industry bodies such as a firearms dealer or a theatrical armourer.


So do you NSW guys even need to have a license anymore?

[KalEl]

I've just read through the list of Prohibited items, and imitation weapons are no longer prohibited in NSW.

In fact, it says this:

Clause 3(1):
Any object that substantially duplicates in appearance a weapon referred to in clause 1A(1), but not including
an object that is produced and identified as a children's toy.

(And so you know, here's Clause (1A)(1):
Any bomb, grenade, rocket, missile or mine or other similar device (such as a tear gas canister) that is in the
nature of, or that expels or contains an explosive, incendiary, irritant, gas or smoke, and whether or not it is
live, has been deactivated or is spent. 'Bomb' includes a device known as an Improvised Explosive Device
(or IED).)

Also checked the Imitation Firearms Factsheet...

What is an imitation firearm?
An imitation firearm is defined in section 4D of the Act as an object that, regardless of its colour, weight or composition
or the presence or absence of any moveable parts, substantially duplicates in appearance a firearm but that is not a
firearm. An imitation firearm does not include anything that is produced and identified as a children's toy.

How is a child's toy distinguished from an imitation firearm?
A child's toy would be distinguished from an imitation firearm by the packaging, targeted sale market (ie sold in a toy
store, marked for ages 3+ etc), the materials the toy is made from, the general appearance or the functioning of the toy
(for example, a water pistol). The onus is on the person in possession of the item and if there is any doubt they may
seek advice from industry bodies such as a firearms dealer or a theatrical armourer.


So do you NSW guys even need to have a license anymore?
anything like this for vic?

[SuspectimusPrime]

That's awesome work, Krayt.

If the permit can be confirmed as no longer necessary, then perhaps all NSW members can be notified to ignore that redundant renewal fee.

[Fungal Infection]

I've just read through the list of Prohibited items, and imitation weapons are no longer prohibited in NSW.

In fact, it says this:

Clause 3(1):
Any object that substantially duplicates in appearance a weapon referred to in clause 1A(1), but not including
an object that is produced and identified as a children's toy.

(And so you know, here's Clause (1A)(1):
Any bomb, grenade, rocket, missile or mine or other similar device (such as a tear gas canister) that is in the
nature of, or that expels or contains an explosive, incendiary, irritant, gas or smoke, and whether or not it is
live, has been deactivated or is spent. 'Bomb' includes a device known as an Improvised Explosive Device
(or IED).)

Also checked the Imitation Firearms Factsheet...

What is an imitation firearm?
An imitation firearm is defined in section 4D of the Act as an object that, regardless of its colour, weight or composition
or the presence or absence of any moveable parts, substantially duplicates in appearance a firearm but that is not a
firearm. An imitation firearm does not include anything that is produced and identified as a children's toy.

How is a child's toy distinguished from an imitation firearm?
A child's toy would be distinguished from an imitation firearm by the packaging, targeted sale market (ie sold in a toy
store, marked for ages 3+ etc), the materials the toy is made from, the general appearance or the functioning of the toy
(for example, a water pistol). The onus is on the person in possession of the item and if there is any doubt they may
seek advice from industry bodies such as a firearms dealer or a theatrical armourer.


So do you NSW guys even need to have a license anymore?

Can you provide a link to this info as none of this is provided or outlined in the documents they've sent me. If I have to pay the fee then I'm handing in my MP5 to the police, it's just not worth it.

[Tiby]

The renewal fee is waived again. The form does not specifically refer to Megatron, so it relates to other imitations, etc.

Megatron MP05 is still a prohibited item in NSW. The renewal is fairly straight forward. If anyone needs any help, please let me know.

[KalEl]

The renewal fee is waived again. The form does not specifically refer to Megatron, so it relates to other imitations, etc.

Megatron MP05 is still a prohibited item in NSW. The renewal is fairly straight forward. If anyone needs any help, please let me know.

Nice collection dude!

[Megatron]

Can you provide a link to this info as none of this is provided or outlined in the documents they've sent me. If I have to pay the fee then I'm handing in my MP5 to the police, it's just not worth it.

Oh no don't hand him in that would be such a shame!

...Maybe just bury him in the backyard for a while until it all blows over? :D j/k.

The MP5 is on my hit list and I don't want to have to deal with any of this ridiculous red tape! I'm in Vic if that helps at all.

[GoktimusPrime]

Unfortunately it's still currently illegal to own MP05 or other gunformers in Victoria. The process there makes what we do in NSW look really easy. In Victoria you need to have been a legal gunowner with a Category 1 Firearms licence for at least 2 years before you can even apply for a Cat 2 firearms collectors licence! :eek:
http://megatron.net.au/MC_Masterpiece_MP05_VIC.htm

The current Minister for Police and Emergency Services is the Hon. Peter Ryan, MP (http://www.vic.gov.au/contactsandservices/directory/?ea0_lfz99_120.&roleWithSubordinates&b348244a-5967-422d-a7cc-b3d82598a328). So maybe if you contacted his office you might have better luck than with his predecessor Bob Cameron. <shrug> Good luck.

[Megatron]

Unfortunately it's still currently illegal to own MP05 or other gunformers in Victoria. The process there makes what we do in NSW look really easy. In Victoria you need to have been a legal gunowner with a Category 1 Firearms licence for at least 2 years before you can even apply for a Cat 2 firearms collectors licence! :eek:
http://megatron.net.au/MC_Masterpiece_MP05_VIC.htm

The current Minister for Police and Emergency Services is the Hon. Peter Ryan, MP (http://www.vic.gov.au/contactsandservices/directory/?ea0_lfz99_120.&roleWithSubordinates&b348244a-5967-422d-a7cc-b3d82598a328). So maybe if you contacted his office you might have better luck than with his predecessor Bob Cameron. <shrug> Good luck.

Hmm... that is truly disgraceful. Stoopid lawmakers. :mad:

Thanks for the info!

[Ultra Mackness]

If you are in Victoria, this thread might be of use:

http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=11667

from last year, so maybe ensure that the links in it are up to date.

[spiderken17]

This reminds me of my 1:18 model cars. They cannot have cigarette advertising on them because they are "toys". I don't know anyone who has given their kid a $200 "toy" car.
Some laws are just plain stupid.

[GoktimusPrime]

The reason why the law exists is to prevent loons who would use the toys to threaten other people. Sadly, there are some people who do that. I used to know a TF fan from the ACT --- he once took a G1 Megatron toy into public places, in gun mode, like a train station (where he was crash tackled by security) and an airport (where he was crash tackled by security who detained/interrogated him before releasing him). *deep.sigh* So unfortunately these laws were put in place in some regions to prevent crap like that from happening.

It's the usual story -- stupid minority ruining the fun for the normal majority. :mad: :(

Note that not all places in Australia outlaw or restrict gun toys. Western Australia is completely unrestricted/unprohibited, and in South Australia it's illegal to import these toys into the state, but once it's there there's no restrictions. In NSW it's a prohibited item, which means we can legally possess them if we follow certain procedures for safe/secure storage and obtain a licence/permit from the Firearms Registry. Other states/territory laws are sadly either ambiguous, or outright outlaw them. :( The best thing to do is to continue to contact or petition your state/territory Minister for Police. Because these toys used to be outlawed in NSW too until Tiby took legal action and had the law changed to allow collectors an avenue to lawfully own these toys. :) It's worth stating that Federal Customs can still confiscate these toys regardless of where you live -- but the ability to claim any confiscated toys vary depending on where you live. e.g. in NSW you'll need to show your licence when asking for Fed. Customs to give you the seized toy. In SA and WA you just rock up and collect it, no hassles (other than physically picking it up :p).