Purpose
The purpose of this policy and procedure is to provide guidelines and information on weapons safety to ensure that our company meets its workplace health and safety obligations.
Scope
This policy and procedure apply to all workers of our company working in Animal Control.
Procedure
All relevant Animal Control Officers shall undergo the appropriate training (30195QLD Course in Firearms Safety (approved for firearms licensing in Queensland)) prior to their licence application.
Secure storage facilities for firearms will be provided at relevant premises and in vehicles.
Conduct a formal review of Weapons Safety at pre-determined intervals (12 monthly) to ensure continuing suitability, accuracy and effectiveness.
Application for a Firearms Licence
A group licence authorises the licensee’s officers and employees to physically possess and use the weapons for the purpose stated on the licence. However, a group licence does not authorise a member, officer or employee of a body to possess or use a weapon unless they hold a current licence that gives them rights to possess and use a weapon of the same type as that which is to be possessed or used under the group licence.
To obtain a licence to possess and/or use firearms in Queensland, you have to satisfy the authorised officer that you have an adequate knowledge of safety practices for the use, storage and maintenance of a weapon, or category of weapon, the possession of which is to be authorised by a license. For the issue of a license you must, on application present a copy of ‘Statement of Attainment’ showing that you have completed an approved safety training course for weapons, conducted by an RTO, within the previous 12 months.
Licenses can be held for one to five years, although some types of licenses are only valid for one year.
Type of Weapons
Animal Control Officers with a Firearms Licence are restricted to the following weapons categories:
Category A Weapons
Each of the following is a Category A weapon if it has not been rendered permanently inoperable:
- a miniature cannon under 120 cm in barrel length that is a black powder and muzzle loading cannon, depicting a scale model of a historical artillery piece or naval gun;
- an air rifle;
- a blank-fire firearm at least 75 cm in length;
- a rimfire rifle (other than a self-loading rimfire rifle);
- a single or double barrel shotgun;
- a powerhead.
- A conversion unit is also a category A weapon.
- In this section – ‘conversion unit’ means a unit or device or barrel that is capable of being used for converting a Category A weapon that is a firearm from one calibre to another calibre.
Category B Weapons
Each of the following is a Category B weapon if it has not been rendered permanently inoperable:
- a muzzle-loading firearm;
- a single shot centre fire rifle;
- a double barrel centre fire rifle;
- a repeating centre fire rifle;
- a break action shotgun and rifle combination.
- A conversion unit is also a category A weapon.
- In this section – ‘conversion unit’ means a unit or device or barrel that is capable of being used for converting a Category B weapon that is a firearm from one calibre to another calibre.
Category C Weapons
Each of the following is a Category C weapon if it has not been rendered permanently inoperable:
- a semiautomatic rimfire rifle with a magazine capacity no greater than 10 rounds;
- a semiautomatic shotgun with a magazine capacity no greater than 5 rounds;
- a pump action shotgun with a magazine capacity no greater than 5 rounds.
Category D Weapons
Each of the following is a Category D weapon:
- a self-loading centre-fire rifle designed or adapted for military purposes or a firearm that substantially duplicates a rifle of that type in design, function or appearance;
- a non-military style self-loading centre-fire rifle with either an integral or detachable magazine;
- a self-loading shotgun with either an integral or detachable magazine with a capacity of more than 5 rounds and a pump action shotgun with a capacity of more than 5 rounds;
- a self-loading rimfire rifle with a magazine capacity of more than 10 rounds.
- Subsection (1) applies to a weapon mentioned in the subsection even if the weapon is permanently inoperable.
Category H Weapons
- A firearm, including an air pistol and a blank-fire firearm, under 75 cm in length, other than a power head, is a Category H weapon, regardless of whether it has been rendered permanently inoperable;
- A conversion unit is also a Category H weapon;
- This section does not apply to a powerhead or Category C, D or R weapon;
- In this section – ‘conversion unit’ means a unit or device or barrel that is capable of being used for converting a Category H weapon that is a firearm from one calibre to another calibre.
- For schedule 2 of the Act, each of the followings comprises a class of Category H weapon:
- an air pistol;
- a centre-fire pistol with a calibre of not more than .38 inch or a black-powder pistol;
- a centre-fire pistol with a calibre of more than .38 inch but not more than .45 inch;
- a rimfire pistol.
Storage of Weapons
Section 60 of the Weapons Act 1990 states: A licensee who has control of a weapon at a place must keep the weapon in secure storage facilities at that place when not in physical possession of the weapon. The registered owner of a firearm must ensure that secure storage facilities for firearm/s are available at the location shown in the firearms register as the place where the firearm is generally kept.
The following requirements apply to a Firearms License (Categories A, B and C) no more than 30 weapons.
Firearms must be stored unloaded in a locked container with the bolt removed or the action broken.
The container must be a rigid structure made of solid steel or solid timber and if the container weighs less than 150kg it must be secured fixed to the frame or floor of a permanent building.
The following requirements apply to a Firearms License (Category D) with a total of no more than 30 weapons and a Concealable Licence (Category H) with a total of no more than 30 weapons.
Firearms must be stored unloaded in a locked container with the bolt removed or the action broken.
The container must be a rigid structure made of solid steel or solid timber and be bolted to the frame or floor of a permanent building. The container must also have a sturdy combination lock, keyed lock or keyed padlock; and always be locked.
Storage of Weapons In or On Vehicles
Section 61 of the Weapons Regulations 2016 states that
- A person in control of a weapon (whether or not the person has custody of it) must ensure the weapon is not placed in or on a vehicle unless
- if the vehicle has a lockable boot—the weapon is locked in the boot; or
- otherwise—
- the weapon is locked in a metal container fixed to the vehicle; or
- the weapon is in a securely closed container that is out of sight in a vehicle.
- The metal container, and anything on or attached to it, must not suggest a weapon is inside.
- A person in control of a weapon (whether or not the person has custody of it) must ensure the weapon is not left in an unlocked vehicle if the vehicle is not being attended by someone licensed to possess the weapon.
Note: This does not replace the usual secure storage facility as defined by section 60 of the Weapons Regulations 1996.
Documentation
- There needs to be a firearms register
- There needs to be a comprehensive license validation process in place
- There needs to be the provision for a lockable firearms cabinet in the vehicle
- There needs to be a firearms quality checklist pre and post-use
Legislation/References
- Work Health and Safety Act 2011
- Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011
- Weapons Act 1990
- Weapons Regulation 2016
- Weapons and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2012
- Weapons Categories Regulation 1997
- Explosives Act 1999
- Explosives Regulations 2003
Definition
Firearm – A gun or other thing ordinarily described as a firearm; or
A thing ordinarily described as a weapon that, if used in the way for which it was designed or adapted, is capable of being aimed at a target and causing death or injury by discharging –
- A projectile; or
- Noxious, corrosive or irritant liquid, powder, gas, chemical or other substance; or
- a thing that would be a firearm mentioned in paragraph (1) or (2), if it were not temporarily inoperable or incomplete; or
- a major component part of a firearm; but does not include:
- an antique firearm, explosive tool, captive-bolt humane killer, spear gun, longbow or crossbow; or
- a replica of a spear gun, longbow or crossbow; or
- a slingshot, Shanghai or sword.
Weapon – A firearm; or
- Another thing prescribed under a regulation to be a weapon or within a category of weapon; or
- A thing that would be a weapon mentioned in paragraph (1) or (2), if it were not temporarily inoperable or incomplete.