Legal problem.

[jake321]

I it legal to have a homemade air rifle in QLD AU? I would not care most of the time but my dad will not let me make one if I don't fined out it is legal so please tell me it is.

[Gippeto]

http://www.spudfiles.com/spud_wiki/inde ... gal_issues

Scroll down to the applicable section....by no means difinitive.

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

Hard to say.

Category A weapons
(1) Each of the following is a category A weapon if it has not
been rendered permanently inoperable—
(a) a miniature cannon under 120cm in barrel length that is
a black powder and muzzle loading cannon, depicting a
scale model of an historical artillery piece or naval gun;
(b) an air rifle;
(c) a blank-fire firearm at least 75cm in length;
(d) a rimfire rifle (other than a self-loading rimfire rifle);
(e) a single or double barrel shotgun;
(f) a powerhead.

You could say that a pneumatic launcher isn't technically an air rifle in the strictest use of the term, but I'm not a lawyer.

Many Aussies practice their craft underground, keeping to themselves and staying out of trouble. That being said, dad's word is the law.

[Zeus]

It's very illegal, even with the appropriate license. Keep it quiet, and you're fine.

[waza8u]

I it legal to have a homemade air rifle in QLD AU? I would not care most of the time but my dad will not let me make one if I don't fined out it is legal so please tell me it is.

Anything that projects a projectile is illegal in australia up to a $5000 on the spot fine, its best not to wave it are outside but do it in private, you even need to have a license to have a paint ball gun, thats why its good to have a bow

[Brian the brain]

The law seems to define an airrifle as a class A weapon.

The definition of a rifle is that it's barrel is rifled.
That is possible loophole to object to a fine.

so if a judge cares more about following the law to the letter than the law's objective you have a chance of getting away with it.

But that's about it.
Not a bright forsight.

so...
you could consider another route.

Seriously read all of it :

See ( maybe you already know) if they sell Nerf in your country.
This could be your ticket.
Make your own pneumatic nerfgun.
( as far as the law is concerned that is..)
Paint it in bright colours and store some Nerfdarts on the outside.

Write "super-awsome-alien-ultra-cool-nuclear-intergalactic-raygun of doom"on the side with a purple glitterpen....uless you can think of something even more childish.Okay..this part is optional..

Stay with me...

Fit the gun with an integrated pump and put an adjustable pop-off in the reservoir to limit the pressure build up to a believable level.( 2-3 bar ?)
Use a long barrel to keep the noise...well..wimpy at best.

Enjoy the gun as it is and occasionally turn up the pop-off valve way up, closed preferrably and launch...your desired projectile.At home ofcourse..

At least you'll have the pleasure of designing and building.

You could build your own -turn to close- pop-off valve using standard fittings.
All you need is a spring capable of withstanding 2-3 bar and a screw running through the center of the spring to squeeze the piston shut when turned in.

remove and loose the screw...ehm....if needed...

[evilvet]

Take it from a fellow Aussie who has discussed it with a QC mate on a number of occasions, your Dad is right.

After Port Arthur, (you may be too young to remember, look it up) every state adopted the uniform gun laws that JSR linked to. If you find yourself in front of the Magistrate then even Brian's hints on the Raygun of Doom won't save you. If they don't get you under Category A then they will get you under Category R that covers facsimiles.

If it looks like an air rifle and works like an air rifle then it is an air rifle. Clang, bam and slam for you, if you are old enough it could even mean some time in the clink depending on how pissed the DPP and the Magistrate were.

Keep it very discreet if you must try this in Oz, otherwise just stay a lurker like me who would never dream of building anything other than "experiments in high speed photography using a pneumatic launching device"

Cheers from Victoria

[Zeus]

I it legal to have a homemade air rifle in QLD AU? I would not care most of the time but my dad will not let me make one if I don't fined out it is legal so please tell me it is.

Anything that projects a projectile is illegal in australia up to a $5000 on the spot fine, its best not to wave it are outside but do it in private, you even need to have a license to have a paint ball gun, thats why its good to have a bow

That's got some misinformation mate, a $5000 fine is the least of your worries. The 6 months gaol is far worse, and court costs will be a lot more than $5000.

Brian, I love your thinking, but even doing that won't help you. I'm in the airsoft legalisation community, and it's very hard to get a foot in the door. Right now I'm thinking about nerf gun conversion kits.

Evilvet, spot on, and you've got the right approach. I'm in the country, so the police don't really give a sh­it, but I wouldn't take that risk in town. Doesn't hurt that I know some local cops either.

If you ever fancy a decent range, shoot me a PM, I'm about 120km out of Melbourne.

[jake321]

Dam. That really sucks! Thanks for all the help but now I think I would rather not know lol.

[mattyzip77]

Nothing is illegal if you dont get caught!!!!

[Zeus]

That's my opinion Matty, works well so far.

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

Nothing is illegal if you dont get caught!!!!

That sounds ok for firing potatoes in your back yard, but if you think about it further that's a very dark can of worms you'd be opening.

"If God does not exist, everything is lawful."

Harsh but true.

[Zeus]

Nothing is illegal if you dont get caught!!!!

That sounds ok for firing potatoes in your back yard, but if you think about it further that's a very dark can of worms you'd be opening.

Well, I've done some bad things, and I live by that. If there's enough money in it, and it's doable, then I tend to do it.

[POLAND_SPUD]

Nothing is illegal if you dont get caught!!!!

I have to agree with this

Though I'd go one step further -> nothing is illegal if you don't get reported (ie keep low profile and try not to annoy anyone)

[Brian the brain]

Brian, I love your thinking, but even doing that won't help you. I'm in the airsoft legalisation community, and it's very hard to get a foot in the door. Right now I'm thinking about nerf gun conversion kits.

I wasn't suggesting to break the law.
Using the void created by the word "rifle", one could stick to the letter of the law , technically legal...and take precautions for a judge to go along with you on that.

Technically you would be operating within the law ( unless otherwise specified, I might not have all the intel...) but a judge could simply overrule this technicality.

Making the thing look and perform harmless would persuade a judge to decide in your favour over the technicality in case of a legal issue.

But the best possible advice I could give you is: don't do it.

It's clear your government doesn't like the idea and you shouldn't hang it all in the balance based on a technicality, especially if your a minor.