Nerf and the Firearms Act

I found this in the Firearms act (Vic):

Firearms act 1996 Section 3 wrote:
firearm means any device, whether or not assembled or in parts and whether or
not operable or complete or temporarily or permanently inoperable or
incomplete-

(a) which is designed or adapted to discharge shot or a bullet or other
missile by the expansion of gases produced in the device by the
ignition of strongly combustible materials or by compressed air or
other gases, whether stored in the device in pressurised containers or
produced in the device by mechanical means; or

Emphasis mine. Doesn't that make Nerf guns count as firearms? How do toy guns fit into this? How do homemades fit into this?

cCorrect. Homemades = right out, especially air guns. not sure about nerf guns, probably because they comply with toy industry safety standards they gain some kind of exemption.

Aj

Oh shit, you're right. Obviously mass-produced Nerf Guns are exempt, but there goes a homemade. Where does the firearms act put my planned Coilgun?

Reaper wrote:Oh shit, you're right. Obviously mass-produced Nerf Guns are exempt, but there goes a homemade. Where does the firearms act put my planned Coilgun?

As highly unlikly. It probably will be illigal but it might just fail, I remeber a while back something on the web was stated that Delta Force (the uber spec ops) were going to use coil guns as their primary, but testing at area 51 (its real, my grandpa use to work there) proofed that they are likly to make the projectile melt because of the extream sudden excelleration.

This is not fact but not fiction do not say "your a <Censored> wit" because this is to my memory.

Mmmm K?

Reaper wrote:Oh shit, you're right. Obviously mass-produced Nerf Guns are exempt, but there goes a homemade. Where does the firearms act put my planned Coilgun?

First, I'm not a lawyer. I'm just some guy who looks up the acts on http://www.austlii.edu.au and worries a lot. Great site if you want to check the laws in your state.

Second, that act doesn't mention projectiles launched by electromechanical means. I have no idea if that's a loophole or not.

I get the feeling that since it's relatively new technology, they didn't think of that, and so long as I don't get caught with a pocketfull of steel .50 cal rounds, I reckon I'm fine. As for Delta Force's projectiles melting, that's because they were firing bullets at Mach 6 or so.

hmmm nerf must of passed some sort of law. maybe they aren't powerful enough

Simple, Anything over 180 Feet Per Second, Is classed as a firearm in Australia. This is why most airsoft guns are not allowed under our laws, hopfuly our new PM will change that.


-MS4E

I don't think the PM can really change it. There are pretty much 80% of Australia are anti-gun activists... That's too much to go against. Australia would be in strife if they did.

littlebro05 wrote:There are pretty much 80% of Australia are anti-gun activists... That's too much to go against. Australia would be in strife if they did.

Whoops, I must be out of touch as one of the few Australians that voted for The Shooters Party in the Senate last election.

Firearms act 1996 Section 3 wrote:
firearm means any device, whether or not assembled or in parts and whether or
not operable or complete or temporarily or permanently inoperable or
incomplete-

(a) which is designed or adapted to discharge shot or a bullet or other
missile by the expansion of gases produced in the device by the
ignition of strongly combustible materials or by compressed air or
other gases, whether stored in the device in pressurised containers or
produced in the device by mechanical means...

I'm not an expert on law.

My interpretation of this passage is that the way that Nerf is played, we are specifically using "dart" projectiles that in no way have any potential stored energy inside them (such as explosions and what not). It's one to consider when you have active forums members such as Talio who place an emphasis on how we call our ammunition, calling out those who use the term "bullets".

This in effect nullifies this argument important to us:

... by compressed air or other gases, whether stored in the device in pressurised containers or produced in the device by mechanical means...

Feel free to question my judgement as I am also curious.

@ Silent scope

melbourneSTORM4eva wrote:Simple, Anything over 180 Feet Per Second, Is classed as a firearm in Australia. This is why most airsoft guns are not allowed under our laws, hopfuly our new PM will change that.


-MS4E

@MS4E: That appears to be true for SA[1], but I don't know about the other states. The citation I gave was for Victoria and looks a lot broader than that. A cursory google did not show any specific declarations similar to the SA declaration that classed things that shot at over 180 FPS as firearms.

[1]: http://www.sapolice.sa.gov.au/sapol/services/firearms_weapons/firearms_clubs_licences_registration/air_soft_guns.jsp