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FIREARMS ACT 1996 - NOTES

Version No. 099

No. 66 of 1996
Version incorporating amendments as at
21 February 2024

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Version No. 099

Firearms Act 1996

No. 66 of 1996

Version incorporating amendments as at
21 February 2024

Endnotes

    1     General information

See www.legislation.vic.gov.au for Victorian Bills, Acts and current Versions of legislation and up-to-date legislative information.

Minister's second reading speech—

Legislative Assembly: 31 October 1996

Legislative Council: 3 December 1996

The long title for the Bill for this Act was "to re-enact, with amendments, the Firearms Act 1958 to make various consequential amendments to other Acts and for other purposes."

Constitution Act 1975:

Section 85(5) statement:

Legislative Assembly: 31 October 1996

Legislative Council: 3 December 1996

Absolute majorities:

Legislative Assembly: 19 and 21 November 1996

Legislative Council: 5 December 1996

The Firearms Act 1996 was assented to on 17 December 1996 and came into operation as follows:

Sections 1, 2 on 17 December 1996: section 2(1); sections 3, 189 and 196 on 6 February 1997: Government Gazette 6 February 1997 page 257—see Interpretation of Legislation Act 1984; rest of Act (except sections 201(3), 202) on 29 April 1997: Government Gazette 24 April 1997 page 921; sections 201(3) and 202 on 31 January 1998: section 2(3).

INTERPRETATION OF LEGISLATION ACT 1984 (ILA)

Style changes

Section 54A of the ILA authorises the making of the style changes set out in Schedule 1 to that Act.

References to ILA s. 39B

Sidenotes which cite ILA s. 39B refer to section 39B of the ILA which provides that where an undivided section or clause of a Schedule is amended by the insertion of one or more subsections or subclauses, the original section or clause becomes subsection or subclause (1) and is amended by the insertion of the expression "(1)" at the beginning of the original section or clause.

Interpretation

As from 1 January 2001, amendments to section 36 of the ILA have the following effects:

•     Headings

All headings included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 form part of that Act. Any heading inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Act. This includes headings to Parts, Divisions or Subdivisions in a Schedule; sections; clauses; items; tables; columns; examples; diagrams; notes or forms. See section 36(1A)(2A).

•     Examples, diagrams or notes

All examples, diagrams or notes included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 form part of that Act. Any examples, diagrams or notes inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, form part of that Act. See section 36(3A).

•     Punctuation

All punctuation included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 forms part of that Act. Any punctuation inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Act. See section 36(3B).

•     Provision numbers

All provision numbers included in an Act form part of that Act, whether inserted in the Act before, on or after 1 January 2001. Provision numbers include section numbers, subsection numbers, paragraphs and subparagraphs. See section 36(3C).

•     Location of "legislative items"

A "legislative item" is a penalty, an example or a note. As from 13 October 2004, a legislative item relating to a provision of an Act is taken to be at the foot of that provision even if it is preceded or followed by another legislative item that relates to that provision. For example, if a penalty at the foot of a provision is followed by a note, both of these legislative items will be regarded as being at the foot of that provision. See section 36B.

•     Other material

Any explanatory memorandum, table of provisions, endnotes, index and other material printed after the Endnotes does not form part of an Act.
See section 36(3)(3D)(3E).

    2     Table of Amendments

This publication incorporates amendments made to the Firearms Act 1996 by Acts and subordinate instruments.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Police and Corrections (Amendment) Act 1997, No. 26/1997

Assent Date:

20.5.97

Commencement Date:

Ss 26, 27, 35 on 17.12.96: s. 2(2); ss 17–25, 28–31, 34, 36, 37 on 22.5.97: Government Gazette 22.5.97 p. 1131; ss 32, 33 on 2.10.97: Government Gazette 2.10.97 p. 2731

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Sentencing and Other Acts (Amendment) Act 1997, No. 48/1997 (as amended by No. 74/2000)

Assent Date:

11.6.97

Commencement Date:

S. 60(2) on 1.9.97: s. 2(2)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Law and Justice Legislation (Further Amendment) Act 1997, No. 84/1997

Assent Date:

2.12.97

Commencement Date:

Ss 41–47 on 2.12.97: s. 2(1)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Firearms (Amendment) Act 1998, No. 22/1998

Assent Date:

5.5.98

Commencement Date:

Ss 1, 2 on 5.5.98: s. 2(1); ss 3–40(b), 40(d), 40(f), 40(h)–43, Sch. on 6.8.98: Government Gazette 9.7.98 p. 1852; s. 40(c), (e), (g) on 7.9.98: Government Gazette 3.9.98 p. 2342

Current State:

All of Act in operation

Public Sector Reform (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 1998, No. 46/1998

Assent Date:

26.5.98

Commencement Date:

S. 7(Sch. 1) on 1.7.98: s. 2(2)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Tribunals and Licensing Authorities (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 1998, No. 52/1998

Assent Date:

2.6.98

Commencement Date:

S. 311(Sch. 1 item 30) on 1.7.98: Government Gazette 18.6.98 p. 1512

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Police Regulation and Firearms (Amendment) Act 1999, No. 30/1999

Assent Date:

1.6.99

Commencement Date:

Ss 30–32 on 22.8.99: Government Gazette 12.8.99 p. 1889

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Psychologists Registration Act 2000, No. 41/2000

Assent Date:

6.6.00

Commencement Date:

S. 102(Sch. item 4) on 1.6.01: s. 2(2)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Corporations (Consequential Amendments) Act 2001, No. 44/2001

Assent Date:

27.6.01

Commencement Date:

S. 3(Sch. item 45) on 15.7.01: s. 2

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Statute Law Further Amendment (Relationships) Act 2001, No. 72/2001

Assent Date:

7.11.01

Commencement Date:

S. 3(Sch. item 8) on 20.12.01: Government Gazette 20.12.01 p. 3127

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Control of Weapons and Firearms Acts (Search Powers) Act 2003, No. 9/2003

Assent Date:

6.5.03

Commencement Date:

Ss 9–15 on 5.10.03: Government Gazette 2.10.03 p. 2538

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Firearms (Trafficking and Handgun Control) Act 2003, No. 28/2003

Assent Date:

20.5.03

Commencement Date:

Ss 3(1)(a)–(e)(h)(i), 4–9, 11–13, 15–17, 19–22, 29, 38–45, 46(1)(3), 47–49, 51, 52, 54, 56–63, 67–73 on 1.7.03: Special Gazette (No. 130) 1.7.03 p. 1; ss 3(1)(f)(g)(2), 10, 14, 18, 23–28, 30–37, 46(2), 50, 53, 55, 64, 65, 66, 74, 75 on 1.1.04: s. 2(2)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Firearms (Amendment) Act 2003, No. 107/2003

Assent Date:

9.12.03

Commencement Date:

S. 8 on 10.12.03: s. 2(2); ss 3–7 on 1.1.04: s. 2(1)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Private Security Act 2004, No. 33/2004

Assent Date:

1.6.04

Commencement Date:

S. 207 on 1.7.05: s. 2(3)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Public Administration Act 2004, No. 108/2004

Assent Date:

21.12.04

Commencement Date:

S. 117(1)(Sch. 3 item 78) on 5.4.05: Government Gazette 31.3.05 p. 602

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Legal Profession (Consequential Amendments) Act 2005, No. 18/2005

Assent Date:

24.5.05

Commencement Date:

S. 18(Sch. 1 item 43) on 12.12.05: Government Gazette 1.12.05 p. 2781

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Firearms (Further Amendment) Act 2005, No. 78/2005 (as amended by No. 50/2007)

Assent Date:

22.11.05

Commencement Date:

Ss 3(1)(b), 6(4)(6)(7), 12(2)(b), 12(3)(b)(c), 19, 22, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30(2), 31, 32, 35–38, 45–47, 49–51, 55, 57, 58, 61(1)(2), 62(1)(2), 66 on 1.1.06: Government Gazette 22.12.05 p. 2972; ss 3(1)(a)(c)(d)(2), 4, 5, 6(1)(2)(3)(5), 7–10, 12(1)(2)(a)(3)(a)(4)(5)(6), 13, 14, 16–18, 20, 21, 24, 29, 30(1), 34, 39–44, 52, 53, 56, 60, 61(3), 62(3), 63 on 1.7.06: Government Gazette 29.6.06 p. 1315; ss 11, 15, 27, 33, 48, 59 on 1.10.06: s. 2(4); ss 64, 65 on 1.7.08: s. 2(2)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Health Professions Registration Act 2005, No. 97/2005

Assent Date:

7.12.05

Commencement Date:

S. 182(Sch. 4 item 20) on 1.7.07: s. 2(3)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Disability Act 2006, No. 23/2006

Assent Date:

16.5.06

Commencement Date:

S. 238 on 1.7.07: s. 2(3)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Statute Law (Further Revision) Act 2006, No. 29/2006

Assent Date:

6.6.06

Commencement Date:

S. 3(Sch. 1 item 11) on 7.6.06: s. 2(1)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Infringements (Consequential and Other Amendments) Act 2006, No. 32/2006

Assent Date:

13.6.06

Commencement Date:

S. 94(Sch. item 20) on 1.7.06: Government Gazette 29.6.06 p. 1315

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Children, Youth and Families (Consequential and Other Amendments) Act 2006, No. 48/2006

Assent Date:

15.8.06

Commencement Date:

S. 42(Sch. item 14) on 23.4.07: s. 2(3)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Corrections and Other Justice Legislation (Amendment) Act 2006, No. 49/2006

Assent Date:

15.8.06

Commencement Date:

S. 22 on 16.8.06: s. 2(1)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Public Sector Acts (Further Workplace Protection and Other Matters) Act 2006, No. 80/2006

Assent Date:

10.10.06

Commencement Date:

S. 26(Sch. item 39) on 11.10.06: s. 2(1)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Statute Law Revision Act 2007, No. 28/2007

Assent Date:

26.6.07

Commencement Date:

S. 3(Sch. item 26) on 27.6.07: s. 2(1)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Firearms Amendment Act 2007, No. 50/2007

Assent Date:

17.10.07

Commencement Date:

Ss 3(1)(a)(c)–(g)(2), 4–8, 12, 14–19, 25–27, 30,
32–35, 40–53, 55 on 30.6.08: Government Gazette 26.6.08 p. 1388; ss 3(1)(b)(3), 9–11, 13, 20–24, 28, 29, 31, 36–39, 54, 56 on 1.9.08: s. 2(2)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Relationships Act 2008, No. 12/2008

Assent Date:

15.4.08

Commencement Date:

S. 73(1)(Sch. 1 item 23) on 1.12.08: s. 2(2)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Justice Legislation Amendment Act 2008, No. 21/2008

Assent Date:

2.6.08

Commencement Date:

Ss 7, 9–12 on 3.6.08: s. 2(1); s. 8 on 30.6.08: s. 2(3)(b)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Police Integrity Act 2008, No. 34/2008

Assent Date:

1.7.08

Commencement Date:

S. 143(Sch. 2 item 7) on 5.12.08: Special Gazette (No. 340) 4.12.08 p. 1

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Family Violence Protection Act, No. 52/2008

Assent Date:

23.9.08

Commencement Date:

Ss 245–249 on 8.12.08: Special Gazette (No. 339) 4.12.08 p. 1

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Stalking Intervention Orders Act 2008, No. 68/2008 (as amended by No. 20/2011)

Assent Date:

18.11.08

Commencement Date:

Ss 70–76 on 8.12.08: Special Gazette (No. 339) 4.12.08 p. 1

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Justice Legislation Amendment Act 2009, No. 25/2009

Assent Date:

17.6.09

Commencement Date:

Ss 8–11 on 3.9.09: Government Gazette 3.9.09 p. 2331

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Justice Legislation Further Amendment Act 2009, No. 55/2009

Assent Date:

22.9.09

Commencement Date:

Ss 15–21 on 30.10.09: Government Gazette 29.10.09 p. 2729

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Statute Law Amendment (Evidence Consequential Provisions) Act 2009, No. 69/2009

Assent Date:

24.11.09

Commencement Date:

S. 54(Sch. Pt 2 item 21) on 1.1.10: s. 2(2)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Statute Law Amendment (National Health Practitioner Regulation) Act 2010, No. 13/2010

Assent Date:

30.3.10

Commencement Date:

S. 51(Sch. item 23) on 1.7.10: s. 2(2)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Firearms and Other Acts Amendment Act 2010, No. 52/2010

Assent Date:

7.9.10

Commencement Date:

Ss 3(1)(b)(d), 4, 17, 19, 21, 23 on 1.11.10: Government Gazette 28.10.10 p. 2583;
ss 3(1)(a)(c)(2), 5–16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 25 on 1.7.11: s. 2(2)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Personal Safety Intervention Orders Act 2010, No. 53/2010

Assent Date:

7.9.10

Commencement Date:

S. 221(Sch. item 5) on 5.9.11: Special Gazette (No. 271) 23.8.11 p. 1

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Education and Training Reform Amendment (School Safety) Act 2011, No. 11/2011

Assent Date:

10.5.11

Commencement Date:

S. 7 on 1.1.12: s. 2(2)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Statute Law Revision Act 2011, No. 29/2011

Assent Date:

21.6.11

Commencement Date:

S. 3(Sch. 1 item 38) on 22.6.11: s. 2(1)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Sentencing Amendment (Community Correction Reform) Act 2011, No. 65/2011 (as amended by No. 43/2012)

Assent Date:

22.11.11

Commencement Date:

S. 107(Sch. item 6) on 16.1.12: Special Gazette (No. 423) 21.12.11 p. 3

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Control of Weapons and Firearms Acts Amendment Act 2012, No. 12/2012

Assent Date:

20.3.12

Commencement Date:

Ss 7–12 on 16.5.12: Special Gazette (No. 157) 15.5.12 p. 1

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012, No. 20/2012

Assent Date:

1.5.12

Commencement Date:

S. 226(Sch. 5 item 13) on 26.11.12: Special Gazette (No. 384) 20.11.12 p. 1

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Statute Law Revision Act 2012, No. 43/2012

Assent Date:

27.6.12

Commencement Date:

S. 3(Sch. item 18) on 28.6.12: s. 2(1)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Integrity and Accountability Legislation Amendment Act 2012, No. 82/2012

Assent Date:

18.12.12

Commencement Date:

Ss 94–99, 288 on 10.2.13: Special Gazette (No. 32) 6.2.13 p. 2; s. 309 on 11.2.13: s. 2(5)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Act 2014, No. 17/2014

Assent Date:

25.3.14

Commencement Date:

S. 160(Sch. 2 item 42) on 1.7.15: Special Gazette (No. 151) 16.6.15 p. 1

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Mental Health Act 2014, No. 26/2014

Assent Date:

8.4.14

Commencement Date:

S. 455(Sch. item 10) on 1.7.14: s. 2(1)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Victoria Police Amendment (Consequential and Other Matters) Act 2014, No. 37/2014

Assent Date:

3.6.14

Commencement Date:

S. 10(Sch. item 63) on 1.7.14: Special Gazette (No. 200) 24.6.14 p. 2

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Criminal Organisations Control and Other Acts Amendment Act 2014, No. 55/2014

Assent Date:

26.8.14

Commencement Date:

Ss 87–102 on 1.10.14: Special Gazette (No. 330) 23.9.14 p. 1; s. 147 on 31.10.14: Special Gazette (No. 330) 23.9.14 p. 1

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Inquiries Act 2014, No. 67/2014

Assent Date:

23.9.14

Commencement Date:

S. 147(Sch. 2 item 17) on 15.10.14: Special Gazette (No. 364) 14.10.14 p. 2

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Justice Legislation Amendment Act 2015, No. 20/2015

Assent Date:

16.6.15

Commencement Date:

Ss 57, 58 on 1.9.15: Special Gazette (No. 236) 25.8.15 p. 1

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Firearms Amendment (Trafficking and Other Measures) Act 2015, No. 44/2015

Assent Date:

22.9.15

Commencement Date:

Ss 3–8 on 1.12.15: Special Gazette (No. 349) 18.11.15 p. 1

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

National Domestic Violence Order Scheme Act 2016, No. 53/2016

Assent Date:

18.10.16

Commencement Date:

Ss 96–101 on 25.11.17: Special Gazette (No. 388) 15.11.17 p. 1

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Victorian Fisheries Authority Act 2016, No. 68/2016

Assent Date:

15.11.16

Commencement Date:

Ss 163, 164 on 1.7.17: s. 2(2)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Family Violence Protection Amendment (Information Sharing) Act 2017, No. 23/2017

Assent Date:

14.6.17

Commencement Date:

S. 38 on 26.2.18: Special Gazette (No. 40) 6.2.18 p. 1

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Firearms Amendment Act 2018, No. 2/2018

Assent Date:

13.2.18

Commencement Date:

Ss 4–37 on 9.5.18: Special Gazette (No. 209) 8.5.18 p. 1

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Oaths and Affirmations Act 2018, No. 6/2018

Assent Date:

27.2.18

Commencement Date:

S. 68(Sch. 2 item 53) on 1.3.19: s. 2(2)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Serious Offenders Act 2018, No. 27/2018

Assent Date:

26.6.18

Commencement Date:

S. 359 on 3.9.18: Special Gazette (No. 356) 31.7.18 p. 1

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Justice Legislation Amendment (Police and Other Matters) Act 2019, No. 3/2019

Assent Date:

13.3.19

Commencement Date:

Ss 39, 42, 44, 46 on 5.6.19: Special Gazette (No. 215) 4.6.19 p. 1; ss 38, 40, 41, 43, 45 on 1.10.19: Special Gazette (No. 386) 24.9.19 p. 1

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Firefighters' Presumptive Rights Compensation and Fire Services Legislation Amendment (Reform) Act 2019, No. 20/2019

Assent Date:

2.7.19

Commencement Date:

S. 172 on 1.7.20: Special Gazette (No. 328) 30.6.20 p. 1

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Primary Industries Legislation Amendment Act 2019, No. 40/2019

Assent Date:

6.11.19

Commencement Date:

S. 101 on 1.2.20: s. 2(2)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Local Government Act 2020, No. 9/2020

Assent Date:

24.3.20

Commencement Date:

S. 390(Sch. 1 item 41) on 6.4.20: Special Gazette (No. 150) 24.3.20 p. 1

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Firearms and Other Acts Amendment Act 2021, No. 44/2021

Assent Date:

26.10.21

Commencement Date:

Ss 8–24 on 30.8.22: s. 2(3)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022, No. 39/2022

Assent Date:

6.9.22

Commencement Date:

Ss 824, 825 on 1.9.23: s. 2(2)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

Justice Legislation Amendment (Police and Other Matters) Act 2024, No. 2/2024

Assent Date:

20.2.24

Commencement Date:

Ss 9−13 on 21.2.24: s. 2(1)

Current State:

This information relates only to the provision/s amending the Firearms Act 1996

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

    3     Explanatory details

No entries at date of publication.


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