Police will be conducting firearms inspections on higher risk gun owners across the Western Region, to make sure firearms are stored as directed by regulations.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Inspections are part of ‘operation regulator’.
Divisions Firearms Officer Mark Wilkinson said the inspections were in addition to the normal routine inspections police carry out.
Read more: Police put firearm theft in their sights
Wilkinson emphasised that higher risk gun owners did not pose a risk to the community, but were for instance, those who owned several guns.
Poor storage is what inspectors most commonly see breaching the Firearms Act in inspections, Wilkinson said.
“People continue to use clothing locker type storage,” he said.
“We try and advocate that people actually purchase firearms safes these days.”
Those found in breach of the storage requirements have their license suspended, and face possible fines or jail terms.
The Western Region takes in the areas between Echuca, Gisbourne, Kyabram and Maryborough.
