SSAA NSW

16 Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (NSW) Inc. NSW Police Firearms Registry Theft of firearms from homes of licence holders concerns us all. How do we protect ourselves from theft? How do we know we're 'doing the right thing' when it comes to the safekeeping of our firearms? In the last edition of SSAA NSW's Quarterly Review, the NSW Police Force Firearms Registry reported on the risk-based safe storage inspection program. This edition complements that article by taking a look at the "Reduce Your Risk" self-assessment booklet, published by the Firearms Registry, to help shooters check and rate their own firearm security arrangements. First, why is this necessary? In October 2012, the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) released its report, Criminal Offences Involving Firearms in NSW, 1995- 2011. The report includes a section on locations of firearm theft and types of stolen firearms, and identifies that the rate of firearm theft is lower in Sydney than the rest of NSW in 2011 (0.8 and 6.4 per 100,000 population respectively). Firearms are most frequently stolen from residences (79%, 2011) and rifles were the most stolen firearm (66%, 2011). These figures are commensurate with the location and ownership figures. Similar trends had already been identified by the Australian Institute of Criminology in an earlier study of firearms theft in 2008-2009. Investigations by police are identifying firearm theft at rural properties, where residences are not habitually occupied. Alternatively, thefts were from sheds, sometimes located a distance from the residential dwelling, where firearm safes were located. Firearms owners have a legislative obligation to comply with Section 39(1) of the Firearms Act 1996, which requires that "a person must take all reasonable precaution to ensure that their firearms are not stolen." But there is more to it. For example, firearms owners are also subject to different safe keeping requirements, such as if you have a Category A B licence, there are specific safe keeping requirements provided in Section 40. Safe storage is a critical element of reducing firearm theft. Making it harder to gain access to firearms by increasing or improving firearm security arrangements will be particularly successful in preventing opportunistic thefts. For example, Police have reported that in some cases, the house wasn't resided in or doors were unlocked. Being vigilant about the security of firearms is critical. Moreover, these particular examples may have resulted in charges against the licence holder because the firearms owners hadn't fulfilled their legal obligations. To assist with improving firearm security arrangements, the Firearms Registry produced a booklet with easy-to- read tips and step-by-step questions for licence holders to assess the risk of firearms theft happening at their premises. The booklet has five stages of statements and questions where firearm owners respond "True", "Mostly True" or "Not True" to questions such as: "The safe storage facilities are not kept in a house/shed/or garage located on an isolated property." After answering the questions, respondents can total up their score and are given a Risk Assessment for their firearm safekeeping arrangements: Low, Medium or High. Tips on how to improve safe keeping arrangements are included, including firearms shouldn't be stored at an address which is left vacant for long periods of time and don't advertise the fact you have firearms on social media or openly discuss your ownership with others in public places. Police and licensed firearm owners don't want to see increased trends in firearm theft, property break-ins, and regrettably in some cases, damage to residences so please continue to be mindful of your responsibilities to safe storage and use the "Reduce Your Risk" tool to identify if there are any areas of improvement. To download a copy, simply visit the NSW Police Force Website, click on Firearms Registry then the green box titled "News and Events" where you'll find the booklet icon. Bruce Lyons Director, NSW Firearms Registry PROTECTING YOUR FIREARMS: ARE THEY SAFE FROM THIEVES?

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