LOCAL firearm officers are issuing a reminder to all south-west gun owners that new storage requirements came into force today, with those who are not compliant at risk of being penalised.

Under the new storage regulations, all category A and B firearms must be stored in a purpose-built steel storage receptacle that is at least 1.6 millimetres thick and fitted with a sturdy lock that is used when the firearms are inside.

All storage units that weigh less than 150 kilograms when empty will also need to be bolted to the structure of the premises.

Acting divisional firearms officer for the south-west and leading senior constable, Malcolm Agnew, said firearm checks were ongoing and storage inspections were a top priority for officers within the Western District.

“We aim to conduct storage inspections throughout the year on a regular basis to try and get around as many properties as we can to make sure compliance is happening in relation to storage,” he said.

“We will be looking at getting out as much as possible.”

Mr Agnew said all firearm owners need to review their current storage units to ensure they meet the new requirements, reinforcing that old forms of storage that may have been acceptable will no longer meet the standard.

“What used to be two types of storage will just become the one general firearm storge requirement and people can get the info off the Victoria Police website,” he said.

“There are still a lot of wooden type lockers and quite a lot of people have utilised clothing lockers in the past, which will not comply.

“In general people are reasonably good with their storage but we always need to be on top of it.”

For more information on keeping firearms safe and secure, visit police.vic.gov.au/firearm-storage