Gun Storage Rules
Gun Safe Storage & Firearm Categories — QLD vs NSW
Scope: This content covers guns, rifles and handguns/pistols only. It excludes bullet-resistant vests, crossbows, machine guns and other military/prohibited weapons.
Why compliance matters: Police inspections and media-reported prosecutions in both QLD and NSW show suspensions/cancellations of licences and fines for storage breaches. Install a compliant safe, anchor it correctly, and keep photos/receipts/install details.
Wall thickness note (NSW history): NSW previously referenced specific steel thickness for higher categories. Current NSW approvals/fact sheets do not prescribe a fixed mm. Safes must be commercially manufactured and not easily penetrable; inspectors still assess robustness. QLD does not legislate a mm thickness; wording focuses on solid steel/solid timber and secure construction.
Quick Comparison
In a nutshell: In Qld you do not need to bolt down your safe to store Category C weapons if your safe is >150kg. In NSW you must ALWAYS bolt down your safe for Category C weaspons, irrespective of how heavy the safe is. That's about it, everything else is the same! (Category C = Pump/semi-auto shotguns (limited capacity), semi-auto rimfire rifles).
Topic | Queensland (QLD) | New South Wales (NSW) |
---|---|---|
Legislation | Weapons Act 1990; Weapons Regulation 2016 | Firearms Act 1996; Firearms Regulation 2017 |
Categories covered here | A, B, C, D, H | A, B, C, D, H |
Anchoring (A/B/C*) | Fix if safe <150 kg; if ≥150 kg, fixing not required. *In Qld Cat. C weapons do not need to be in a bolted safe if the safe is >150kg (different then NSW). (Category C = Pump/semi-auto shotguns (limited capacity), semi-auto rimfire rifles) | Level 1: Fix if safe <150 kg; if ≥150 kg, fixing not required. *In NSW Cat. C weapons must always be in a bolted safe irrespective of safe weight (Category C = Pump/semi-auto shotguns (limited capacity), semi-auto rimfire rifles) |
Restricted categories (D/H/R) | D/H/R require steel safe and anchoring (no ≥150 kg exemption) | Level 2 (C*/D/H/R) require steel safe and anchoring with internal anchor points. *C is restricted in NSW |
Ammunition | Separate locked container or separate locked internal compartment | Separate locked container or separate locked internal compartment |
Inspections | Police inspections and targeted campaigns | Random inspections with Level 1/2 guidance |
Official Information (Police/Government)
External links above go only to Police/Government sites.