Gun-Formers (imitation weapons) laws and requirements for Australia

[danny-boy]

Does the Megatron club still exist and am I still required to join if I want to own MP-36?

[GoktimusPrime]

Does the Megatron club still exist and am I still required to join if I want to own MP-36?

Yes and yes.

[Jellico]

Just NSW (as mentioned on the Club homepage) or the whole country?

[danny-boy]

Yes and yes.

Thanks GoktimusPrime. I found the Megatron thread in kups discussions section that has pretty much all the information I was after.

http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=15885

[DELTAprime]

Just a little extra info for QLD importation should you not be able to acquire MP-36 locally. I just called weapons licencing and confirmed the B709 permit is good for 12 months from the issue date. So if you have an old permit you might need to get a new one for MP-36.

[hYpNoS]

Silly question, IF Premium Collectables stocks them would...we still need the permits?

Because it would seem silly if we pay them more so they can get them in locally without issues On their end only for local customs to take it back again?

I'm actually considering getting a proper gun license, from what I've been told they last longer than the cover letter from the Governor, and while the cost is a tad more the fact it supposedly last 5 years makes it seem like a better deal, that and firearm usage...though I'd have to find out if just having the license alone (and of course the import permit which is free).

Regardless I honestly feel too embarrassed to find a referee JUST to let me keep basically a toy gun, and without a regular doctor (due to my unnaturally good luck ) I'd have to track down an old school teacher (who's now a principal last I checked I think...erm, somewhere) or (on the recommendation from a friend who has a gun license) just to ask the local copshop to be that referee (Don't know any but apparently they can just do a background check and that'd count or something).

Having anxiety as well as dealing with money based matters is quite painful to say the least, if only I didn't crave such a good looking megatron in Victoria

[Borgeman]

Silly question, IF Premium Collectables stocks them would...we still need the permits?

If they get them in stock, its already past customs, and from there it is almost certain you will receive your goods, as it will travel via road freight.

Whether you decide regarding getting a permit (or not), that's up to you, but history suggests that will not affect your ability to obtain a megatron once its already on Aussie soil.

Having said that the process might change depending on whether PC have to conform to any restrictions or not.

[GoktimusPrime]

It would have passed Customs crossing international borders, but can't Customs also inspect domestic state borders?

[Borgeman]

It would have passed Customs crossing international borders, but can't Customs also inspect domestic state borders?

They can, but they hardly ever inspect postal/courier trucks - it's not worth the resources. Planes they do occasionally. That's why I said almost certain

[griffin]

If they get them in stock, its already past customs, and from there it is almost certain you will receive your goods, as it will travel via road freight.

Whether you decide regarding getting a permit (or not), that's up to you, but history suggests that will not affect your ability to obtain a megatron once its already on Aussie soil.

Having said that the process might change depending on whether PC have to conform to any restrictions or not.

Yes, once they are in the country, it is very unlikely that they will be found in the domestic mail.
However, in Queensland, a person wanting to dispose of (including selling) a weapon (including replica/imitation), is required to either surrender it to the Police or registered dealer, or privately to a person who is a permit holder in their jurisdiction. In the case of Queensland and WA, people don't need a permit for owning or buying replica weapons that are already in the country, so they will be okay.
However, people in other states that require permits of some sort, will not be able to buy them legally from toy dealers in Queensland until they can prove that they meet their legal requirements... or else that toy dealer will be committing a serious offence.
If a person sells a Megatron toy privately without any public evidence of it, the police probably won't care about it, but if there is a public sale of Megatrons (like on a website), the Federal Police could request or demand (with a warrant) all sales records pertaining to those Megatron toys, and it would be the toy dealer's responsibility to prove that they only sold to people who were allowed to own one in their state.
The buyers could face prosecution if the Police wanted to go that far, but their main focus would be prosecuting the person or business knowingly selling them to unauthorised people.

In Queensland -

​​​​​​​Disposing of weapons permanently (within Queensland)

If you do not wish to retain possession of a weapon you may choose to dispose of them by one of the following means:

• Relinquish your weapon at a Queensland police station
• Sell your weapon to a dealer
• Dispose of your weapon to a licensed dealer for consignment sale on your behalf; or
• Sell it to someone who is a holder of an issued Permit to Acquire for the weapon in question.

A Permit to Acquire is required for each weapon being acquired. You must view an issued Permit to Acquire prior to disposing of the weapon to the acquirer.


Disposal of weapons interstate

If you have disposed of your weapon to an interstate licence holder you will need to provide written advice to Weapons Licensing stating:

• The name of person to whom the weapon was disposed
• The address of person to whom the weapon was disposed
• The Weapons Licence number of person to whom the weapon was disposed; and
• The date of disposal.

If you wish to dispose of your weapon interstate contact the relevant interstate firearms registry and refer to how to correctly dispatch weapons to ensure compliance in both states.

Naturally, if you don't require a "Permit to Acquire" or a Permit to own one in your state, the fact that the toy dealer is posting it to an address in that state, covers them for that sale.
The rest of the states are subject to restrictions or Permits that a Queensland Toy Dealer would be best to consider if they don't want to face multiple weapons charges.

It might seem trivial at the moment, but it just takes one or two highlighted cases in the media of an imitation gun being used in crimes, and the Police would be directed to crack down on them by their superiors or politicians.
Because as people have said, if it looks like a gun is being pointed at you when you are being robbed, are you going to try to work out if it is real or loaded before panicking... or even get the chance to determine if it is real as you are being intimidated by an offender who is waving it around?