In New South Wales (NSW), Australia, the safe storage of firearms is governed by strict legal requirements under the Firearms Act 1996 and associated regulations. Key points about gun safe requirements are:
- Firearms must be stored in a locked steel safe approved by the Commissioner of Police.
- The safe must be bolted to the structure of the premises if it weighs less than 150 kilograms empty. If the safe weighs 150 kg or more, it may not need to be bolted down.
- Ammunition must be stored separately in a locked container or in a separate compartment within the safe.
- The safe's construction must meet minimum standards for thickness and material strength (e.g., structural grade steel).
- The safe must be positioned to reduce the risk of theft, but there is no explicit legal requirement for the safe to be flush against a wall or in a corner.
- Owners must take all reasonable precautions to ensure firearms are not stolen or accessed by unauthorized persons.
Failure to comply with these safe storage laws can result in severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment. These rules apply to Category C, D and H firearm licence holders in NSW. In practice, while some gun safes above 150 kg may not require bolting, many owners still bolt their safes to improve security. Positioning the safe in a secure, difficult-to-access location is important for compliance. Trusted suppliers in NSW offer compliant gun safes with features such as separate locked ammo compartments, digital or biometric locks, and professional installation to meet legal standards. For full compliance, it is advisable to review the NSW Police guidelines on firearm safe storage and consider expert advice or professional safe providers. This ensures keeping firearms secure and meeting all NSW legal obligations relating to firearm storage.
