Collectors Licences
General Information
A person must not collect weapons unless that person is a licensed collector for the category of weapons being collected.
There are two types of collector’s licence that a person may apply for:
a) A collector’s licence(heirloom); and
b) A collector’s licence (weapons).
Heirloom
Section 6 of the Weapons Act 1990 states that “A firearm other than a category R weapon, the ownership of which has been passed to a person by testamentary disposition or laws of succession’ is classed as an heirloom firearm” e.g. in a Will.
It is a condition of a collector’s licence (heirloom) that the licensee may only possess an heirloom firearm if it is made permanently inoperable
Weapons
A collector’s licence authorises the collection of weapons in the category that is endorsed on the licence. This includes:
a) category D, H, and R firearms that have been made permanently inoperable;
b) category M weapons that are inert;
c) category A, B, C and H weapons that are temporarily inoperable and are collectable firearms.
A collectable firearm is a firearm that is of obvious and significant commemorative, historic, thematic or investment value. For further information refer to section 77(2) of the Weapons Act 1990.
A collector must not discharge or operate, or cause or permit to be discharged or operated any weapon held or proposed to be held under a collector’s licence, unless authorised to do so under that licence.
Last Updated: 09/12/2008