SAFE STORAGE FOR CATEGORY A & B FIREARMS

Level 1 Security Minimum Storage Requirements for
Category A and B Firearms

All Category A and B firearms registered to the licence holder must be stored in a gun cupboard, or commercially produced display case or gun rack.

A gun cupboard must comply with the following minimum standard:

• the cupboard must be sturdily constructed in wood or steel so as to provide a reasonable level of security against unauthorised entry,
• if the weight of the cupboard is less that 150kg when empty it must be secured to the floor and/or wall of the structure. See 'Securing a safe to the structure' below for details,
• it must be fitted with a solid metal lock/s with a minimum body of 40mm, a hardened steel shackle and have a minimum of 100 key changes,
• the door must be fitted with a three point locking mechanism and padlocked by means of a hasp and staple or lever handle.

An example of a suitable level 1 security gun cupboard:

A display case must be:

• of solid construction, padlocked and kept in a permanent building with secure locks on all entrances,
• all glass panelling must be a minimum grade of 6.38mm and be laminated,
• secured to the floor and wall of the structure

See 'Securing a safe to the structure below for details.

A gun rack must be:

• of solid construction, padlocked and kept in a permanent building with secure locks on all entrances
• secured with plastic coated flexible steel cable (4mm) minimum thickness), or chain of equivalent strength passing through the trigger guard/s and secured to the wall at each end by expanding anchor bolts/ coach screws
• secured to the floor and wall of the structure.

The premises where the firearms are stored must be a permanent structure with secure locks on all openings (structures such as garden sheds would not be considered a permanent structure).

Securing a safe to the structure

The mounting and positioning of the safe is important and consideration should be given to positioning to make it difficult to jemmy open e.g. a safe placed in a corner with the lock closest to the wall would be more difficult to cut or jemmy open.

The safe must be bolted to the structure of the premise as follows:

When mounted onto brick, stone or concrete, it must be attached by at least four (4) masonry anchors 90mm in length and 10mm in diameter internally fitted through holes in the rear and base of the container, securing it to the floor and wall. In the case of level 1 containers the floor of the safe must also be flush with its base.

When mounted onto main wall studs or floor bearers it must be fitted flush against the wall and secured to the wall studs and floor bearers by four (4) galvanise hexagon head coach screws, not less than 65mm in length and 8mm diameter. In the case of level 1 containers ensure that the container is flush with its base.

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