Gun owners are being urged to ensure their guns are correctly stored to stop them from getting into the hands of criminals.
Eastern Region Division 3 divisional firearms officer Leading Senior Constable Dean Lloyd wants owners to check that their gun storage complies with law changes that took effect in August 2022.
Under the law, guns must be stored in a purpose-built gun safe with internal locks and hinges.
If the safe weighs less than 150kg when empty, it must be bolted to the floor, wall, or both, Leading Sen Constable Lloyd said.
It does not have to be bolted down if it weighs more than this.
He also urged gun owners to think about where they put their gun safe and not to have it where it could easily be seen by people passing by.
“Try not to have them in view of a public place,” he said.
“Try to put it out of sight.”
He also reminded hunters to ensure their guns were stored correctly in their vehicles during duck and deer hunting seasons.
“They must be locked in a vehicle when you are away from the vehicle or are camping,” he said.
He said the Game Management Authority had a good video about safely storing firearms while in the field.
It can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMQrK2Qju2g
Leading Sen Constable Lloyd also encouraged gun owners to check their firearms licence expiry date and ensure it was valid.
He said police were getting “quite a few” expired licences they had to chase up throughout the region.
If licences expire, gun owners must hand their guns in to authorities until their licence is renewed.
Owners must pay transfer fees to get their guns back.
He also reminded gun owners that they must report any lost or stolen guns to police within 24 hours.
In another way to keep guns safe, Leading Sen Constable Lloyd said gun owners should be wary of what they posted online.
He said posting a photo of a person out duck shooting advertised to others that they had guns.
He said gun owners keeping their guns safe could prevent them from being stolen and used in criminal activities.
“We aim to prevent stolen firearms,” he said.
More than 10 firearms were stolen in Victoria because of inadequate storage or the negligence of licence holders in 2023.
In some cases, firearms were left unsecured, or keys to safes were carelessly left in plain sight, making it easy for thieves to access the weapons.
Leading Sen Constable Lloyd said there was not much of a problem with firearm storage in the local police area — something he said was pleasing.
However, he said it was worth reminding people of their responsibilities.
Statewide, more than 90 firearms licences were cancelled or suspended by police due to storage non-compliance in 2023.