Hi from Snazzbot 101

[GoktimusPrime]

I'm proud to be currently living in a wogbox. Me hates gardening. *nods*

[d*r*j*]

Our gun laws are just as strange.

Hehe... our gun laws are hysterical.

American's have the right to bare arms or whatever... but get all precious with their toy guns.

I just think it's sad that these matters have to effect such an iconic toy. I have shot a handgun and a shotgun and at one time was even licensed to carry one... in a security capacity... to say that I'm not allowed a toy that forms the shape of a gun... which is in no way a working or possible working weapon... strange days indeed.

[snazzbot 101]

I don't doubt the legality of owning Megatron - he's a replica gun after all. A damn good one too.

But it does make me wonder. What about my Collection and MP Convoys with their mighty smokestacks standing proud and TALL?

I know, I know, we buy them as collectables not toys (right) but they are still toys and they would surely have to conform to Australian Standards as such.

[roller]

listen carefully for i shall say this only once,, Welcome... to ze pit of despair.

stick it to the man!!! Hold your Megatron with pride!!!

[d*r*j*]

but only your classics megatron... don't want to advocate breaking the law.

[GoktimusPrime]

Hehe... our gun laws are hysterical.

American's have the right to bare arms or whatever... but get all precious with their toy guns.

I think you're confusing American and Australian gun laws. I agree that American laws seem kinda strange considering that they're so strict on toy guns yet it's ridiculously easy to get real guns. Our laws aren't quite so hypocritical and IMO it's because there are two things that the US has that we don't...
#1: The Second Amendment
#2: The NRA

I just think it's sad that these matters have to effect such an iconic toy. I have shot a handgun and a shotgun and at one time was even licensed to carry one... in a security capacity... to say that I'm not allowed a toy that forms the shape of a gun... which is in no way a working or possible working weapon... strange days indeed.

An excellent point - and that was the legal argument that was presented to the NSW Police Ministry which paved the way for legal Megatron ownership in this state. Unfortunately this has yet to occur in Victoria.

But it does make me wonder. What about my Collection and MP Convoys with their mighty smokestacks standing proud and TALL?

I know, I know, we buy them as collectables not toys (right) but they are still toys and they would surely have to conform to Australian Standards as such.

Actually, I also buy them as toys.

As for MP Convoy, in Japan MPs aren't marketed at children - they are marketed as "Ages 15 and Up." I think that MP Convoy's smoke stacks are okay under Australian toy safety laws though because we've had two versions of that mould sold locally here (MP Magnus and MP Convoy w/ trailer - both Target exclusives). Afaik Hasbro Australia didn't market them as "Ages 15 and Up" but I'm not entirely sure as I don't have either of those figures.

Either way, the smokestack issue isn't one that falls under replica weapon - it's a matter of child safety.

but only your classics megatron... don't want to advocate breaking the law.

Actually, ownership of replica gun toys like Megatron is perfectly legal in WA, so roller's all good.

[snazzbot 101]

Actually, I also buy them as toys.

As for MP Convoy, in Japan MPs aren't marketed at children - they are marketed as "Ages 15 and Up." I think that MP Convoy's smoke stacks are okay under Australian toy safety laws though because we've had two versions of that mould sold locally here (MP Magnus and MP Convoy w/ trailer - both Target exclusives). Afaik Hasbro Australia didn't market them as "Ages 15 and Up" but I'm not entirely sure as I don't have either of those figures.

Either way, the smokestack issue isn't one that falls under replica weapon - it's a matter of child safety.

I wasn't comparing a smokestack to a smoking gun, but the Master Piece analogy wasn't the best (forgot all about them selling them over here). I'll try again...

The Gen 1 reissue Primes from Hasbro has short stacks for safety reasons. My Collection Convoy has long - God-intended - smokestacks. As they are both the same TOY they should both confirm to the same Australian Standard, regardless of how it's marketed in Japan.

Given that, has anyone considered the potential ramifications of importing and owning something which could be illegal?

(This isn't just a shortstack question - which may not be recognised as a hazard by Australian Standards - collectively we import a lot of stuff and it's something I'm curious about.

[GoktimusPrime]

Given that, has anyone considered the potential ramifications of importing and owning something which could be illegal?

Japanese reissues aren't illegal for adult collectors. There could be an argument that they are not suitable for children and shouldn't be supplied to young children... I don't let young kids touch any of my G1 toys anyway.

Given that, has anyone considered the potential ramifications of importing and owning something which could be illegal?

As a Federal body, Customs can still seize the toy from any part of Australia but laws and procedures for recovering the toy would vary between different states and territories. There is presently no process available for legal importation and ownership in Victoria. Click here.

[snazzbot 101]

Japanese reissues aren't illegal for adult collectors. There could be an argument that they are not suitable for children and shouldn't be supplied to young children... I don't let young kids touch any of my G1 toys anyway.

I do understand what you're saying, but just because I collect something doesn't make it a collectable and therefore above the Law. They're toys and the standards they must adhere to are Toy standards. If Hasbro has to shorten smokestacks or mould HUGE seeker missiles or remove springs from launchers to sell reissues in the US then clearly they don't meet someone's standards.

Whether they're Australia's standards too - and if so what then? - is what I'm asking about.

Cos I don't want to have to hide my long stacked Prime where I also have to hide my watch.

[griffin]

I think what you are asking, relates to the sale of toys, not ownership. The legal safety requirements would pertain to the ability of retailers selling certain products. If you privately import an item and don't resell it, the safety standards would not apply, and you shouldn't be worried about getting into trouble for owning toys that may or may not legally be sold in this country. If a toy is dangerously unsafe in some way, you would be liable for any injury it causes to others - but that would relate to anything you own, not just toys.
That said, I think our safety requirements aren't as bad as America, because we had the JP Masterpiece Ultra Magnus and MP Optimus with Trailer released here, which both had the long smokestacks. The American retailers seem to be the ones who can't sell Optimus with long smokestacks, and unfortunately, we end up getting the same thing in our Hasbro packaged toys.