LOCAL gun owners have been issued a stern warning by Victoria Police to update their gun storage or face the consequences, as the deadline to comply with new storage regulations quickly approaches.

Anyone in possession of a firearm has less than two weeks left to make sure their current storage complies with new regulations that come into effect on August 30. 

Under the new requirements, 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.

If the storage unit weighs less than 150 kilograms when empty, it must also be bolted to the structure of the premises to help prevent theft.

While many current firearm owners will already have storage which meets the updated standards – for example a commercially manufactured gun safe – a statement released by Victoria Police urged anyone who was yet to enforce the changes to “urgently” take action.

“Police are committed to working alongside firearm owners to ensure their storage is upgraded, so firearms aren’t falling into the hands of thieves on the lookout for weapons to aid further serious criminal offending,” the statement read.

“If you don’t make an effort to upgrade your storage, you may be a sitting duck for opportunistic thieves.

“Due to the number of people needing to upgrade their storage, we are anticipating there may be a degree of pressure placed on gun safe manufacturers, so our advice is to act today.”

The regulations will apply to anyone who plans to buy or get a firearm, or who is newly licensed or in the process of getting a licence.

Divisional Firearm Officers will be regularly carrying out inspections to ensure licensed owners are adhering to the new regulations, with the penalty for failing to comply including jail time ranging from 12 months to four years, depending on the category of firearm being carried and used.

The Victoria Police statement referred to the changes as “a positive for licence holders and the wider community”, as it would reduce firearms from falling into the wrong hands. 

“They will ensure licensed firearms are stored as safely as possible, lessening the chance of them being stolen and being used in further violent offending,” it read.

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