South Australian Numbered Acts

FIREARMS ACT 2015 (NO 46 OF 2015) - SECT 3

3—Principles and objects of Act

        (1)         The underlying principles of this Act are—

            (a)         to confirm firearm possession and use as a privilege that is conditional on the overriding need to ensure public safety; and

            (b)         to improve public safety—

                  (i)         by imposing strict controls on the possession, use, acquisition, supply and manufacture of firearms; and

                  (ii)         by promoting the safe and responsible storage, transport and use (whether for recreational or other purposes) of firearms; and

            (c)         to facilitate a nationally consistent approach to the control of firearms.

        (2)         The objects of this Act are as follows:

            (a)         to ensure that the possession and use of automatic and self-loading firearms is permitted only in strictly limited circumstances;

            (b)         to establish an integrated licensing and registration scheme for all firearms;

            (c)         to require each person who possesses or acquires a firearm or ammunition under the authority of a licence or permit to have established a genuine reason to possess or acquire the firearm or ammunition;

            (d)         to provide strict requirements that must be satisfied in relation to firearms and transactions and activities involving firearms, including requirements to ensure the safe and secure storage and transport of firearms;

            (e)         to reduce the number of firearms that are in unlawful possession in the community through a general amnesty;

            (f)         to prevent or restrict persons and organisations from accessing, possessing or using firearms for criminal purposes;

            (g)         to minimise the risk of persons becoming victims of crimes involving the use or threatened use of firearms;

            (h)         to minimise the risk of persons causing injury or harm (including psychological harm) to themselves or others by the use or threatened use of firearms.