Gun Storage Rules

Gun Safe Storage & Firearm Categories in Queensland vs NSW | Terry’s Gold Coast Safes
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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)
LegislationWeapons Act 1990; Weapons Regulation 2016Firearms Act 1996; Firearms Regulation 2017
Categories covered hereA, B, C, D, HA, 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
AmmunitionSeparate locked container or separate locked internal compartmentSeparate locked container or separate locked internal compartment
InspectionsPolice inspections and targeted campaignsRandom inspections with Level 1/2 guidance

Official Information (Police/Government)

External links above go only to Police/Government sites.