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

[hYpNoS]

Question for those in Victoria who have all relevant documents to legally own a gun megatron, with the fee every 3 years, do they send a bill or do you have to re-submit the form each time, how does it work?

All I know is this is getting overly expensive, if it was a one time fee no problem, I'm starting to hate my state now

[Borgeman]

Question for those in Victoria who have all relevant documents to legally own a gun megatron, with the fee every 3 years, do they send a bill or do you have to re-submit the form each time, how does it work?

All I know is this is getting overly expensive, if it was a one time fee no problem, I'm starting to hate my state now

Don't take me for my word, but given the backward nature of our state's regulations to own any G1 styled Megatron, Its likely that virtually no one owns that permit. I certainly don't remember anyone here saying they went through that process in 2007 with mp-05. And plenty of collectors have owned a G1 megs from before the MP-5 fiasco and were unaware of any restrictions, and some likely continue to be.

I genuinely believe that no one in Victoria actually does have that permit solely to own a Megatron. No one in their right mind should be spending $200 every 3 years to own a plastic collectible toy which will likely be worth no more than $200 itself. I'm not saying you should ignore the permit, I'm saying that if had to choose between owning a megatron and paying the 3-yearly fee, or not owning one, the sensible choice would be to not own it IMO.

[FatalityPitt]

A bit of a dumb question on my part, and I risk sounding like a fool for asking, but these discussions about importing Megatron has gotten me curious (I've never owned a G1 or MP Megatron) - If buying a loose/OOP Megatron from online, like from eBay for example; what if you ask the seller to pack Megatron in robot mode instead of gun mode?

Having bought things online, I think it's unlikely the customs officer would open the parcel. Even if they did, and unless they're educated TF fans; what are the odds of them recognising that the toy becomes a realistic-looking gun?

[GoktimusPrime]

A bit of a dumb question on my part, and I risk sounding like a fool for asking, but these discussions about importing Megatron has gotten me curious (I've never owned a G1 or MP Megatron) - If buying a loose/OOP Megatron from online, like from eBay for example; what if you ask the seller to pack Megatron in robot mode instead of gun mode?

In 2007 Australian Customs learnt how to recognise Megatron's silhouette in robot mode. MP5 Megatron is packaged in robot mode and Customs were detecting and seizing those toys, which is what led to reforms being made in NSW laws (and subsequently some other states) in 2007.

[hYpNoS]

General question, what if...by chance a retail shop was selling a megatron?

I remember a tiny obscure anime shop (won't say where incase they do it again since I like these guys, but I do know they moved since) having an mp05 in robot mode on display, I thought it was beautiful at the time, I wonder what I was on at the time to think that.

Having bought things online, I think it's unlikely the customs officer would open the parcel.

I've bought so much stuff online and only once in all my years did customs ever do a random check, and it was for 2 gundam model kits.

And those guys weren't gentle as the model kit boxes inside were banged up with box cutter marks all over them, with xray scanning I didn't understand why they did what they did?

[DarkHyren]

General question, what if...by chance a retail shop was selling a megatron?

I think that, depending on state/territory, they are technically supposed to ask for proof that you're allowed to own it, but in most cases it's generally a "don't ask don't tell" situation, so if they don't ask or take details...

[bakakun]

General question, what if...by chance a retail shop was selling a megatron?

I remember a tiny obscure anime shop (won't say where incase they do it again since I like these guys, but I do know they moved since) having an mp05 in robot mode on display, I thought it was beautiful at the time, I wonder what I was on at the time to think that.

I think I remember seeing MP05 once in a store for $500.

Now, compared to the continued fees needed to legally own a Megatron Transformer, that might seem like good value, but you have to remember that if you get caught with one without the legal approval you'll be in a lot of trouble.

Personally I'm going to try to own it legally.

Hopefully Griffin will be able to find new information of how to be exempted from the fees in Victoria and other states. Or at least the an exemption or reduced amount for the renewal fees every 3 years.

I've personally emailed the licensing regulation regarding the fees numerous times, but their responses so far have been very generic. The most helpful they've been was in clarifying that there are no additional storage requirements other the the imitation firearms section I quoted earlier

[hYpNoS]

I think I remember seeing MP05 once in a store for $500.

Now, compared to the continued fees needed to legally own a Megatron Transformer, that might seem like good value, but you have to remember that if you get caught with one without the legal approval you'll be in a lot of trouble.

I think that may of been the one I saw, sure looked it back in the day, as for the legal wrangling of megatron last I checked trying to import one without the permit only carries the risk of him being seized and destroyed with nothing to actually happen to you, main legal hassle is if you're the one selling.

Could also be an issue if for some reason the police need to do a search on your property, I'm not sure if its back earlier in this thread or elsewhere but most officers *may not* recognize said megatron, unless he's sitting around in gun mode of course.

Truthfully I want to own him legally but judging from your own hurdles I'm not sure what else griffin could do, I'd be happy to fill out a form and a proper cabinet, but every 3 years just to keep him, why can't they just say...I don't know keep a register on people, pay once, go on it, it really does sound like money gouging to me personally (that and my main hurdle is still getting a reference to just sign me off on this )

I'm starting to think I might need to let him go.

[SuspectimusPrime]

I think I remember seeing MP05 once in a store for $500.

I am fairly certain I saw a hobby shop in Sydney (the one in Market City that has finally closed in the past 3 months) having it on display for a highly inflated price. I should have checked with them if they had a permit.

[danny-boy]

Question for Griffin/Goktimus Prime;

I haven't received any response from the Megatron Club. Can I just go ahead and fill out the NSW paperwork without joining the club?