Public Display of Monuments

The appropriate public display of historically significant and military weapons by RSL Sub Branches, historical societies, private museums and other organisations has a strong legitimate support across the community.

Accordingly, the Weapons Acts 1990 has been amended to reduce the regulatory requirements associated with the licensing and registration of "public monuments". As of 2 April 2012, public monuments as defined by the Weapons Act 1990, will not be considered firearms and as such, will no longer be subject to licensing/registration requirements.

"Public monument" is defined as any of the following which have been made permanently incapable of being discharged, and is permanently displayed in a public place for memorial or commemorative purposes:

• Machine gun
• Submachine gun
• Firearm capable of firing 50 calibre BMG cartridge ammunition
• Rocket launcher
• Recoilless rifle
• Bazooka
• Rocket propelled grenade type launcher
• Mortar; or
• Artillery piece.

The item is permanently displayed only if the item is displayed in a manner that prevents its removal by an unauthorised person. A "public place" includes a place that can be seen from a public place.

Examples include:

• permanently deactivated WWI artillery permanently displayed in the foyer or grounds open to the public, of an RSL club
  
• a permanently deactivated Bofors anti-aircraft gun mounted on a concrete platform in a public park.

Public Display of Weapons

Organisations wishing to lawfully possess and display firearms (other than public monuments) are required to satisfy specific licensing, registration and storage provisions under The Weapons Act 1990.

RSL Sub Branches, historical societies, private museums and other organisations wishing to collect and display firearms and other weapons, should refer to the attached Fact Sheet for general information on:

• What is a collectable firearm
• What are the requirements for the collection of firearms
• What are the requirements for the storage of collectable Firearms and
• How to ensure safe storage and display of collectable firearms.

Weapons Display Guide ( 245.06K )

Alternate Storage Requirements

In the interest of public safety, organisations displaying firearms should ensure the firearms are displayed in such a manner to prevent theft, loss, or misuse.

Section 63 of the Weapons Regulations 1996 provides for the Authorised Officer to, upon written application, give the applicant, including private museums, historical societies and RSL, written approval to take particular alternate safety measures for the safe storage and display of weapons instead of a measure required under the legislation.

If organisations wish to apply for approval to take particular alternate safety measures to allow for the display of collectable firearms instead of measures required under the legislation, a letter will need to be submitted to the Authorised Officer, Weapons Licensing, detailing what alternate safety measures would be used.

The attached example of a written application under section 63 of the regulation has been designed to assist organisations to provide sufficient information to the Authorised Officer regarding the alternate safety measures intended to display weapons.

Sect 63 Application example ( 44.84K )