Gel blasters under fire
Judge wants a clear ban on toy gun lookalikes
A TASMANIAN magistrate has slammed the confusion and information vacuum surrounding the legality of toy gel blaster guns in the state, saying the firearm legislation needs to be amended without delay.
Magistrate Tamara Jago made the comments during a case involving a Burnie man who was convicted and fined after being found guilty of three possession of a prohibited firearm charges in relation to a trio of gel blasters. The court heard Trent Ian JohnTasmania
ston had unsuccessfully tried to find credible information on the status of gel blasters before he bought the three replica guns on the internet from a seller in Queensland – where they are legal.
Magistrate Jago told the court he was one of many cases involving gel blasters clogging up the court system.
“The legislation needs to be changed so gel blasters are listed as illegal as is the case with paint ball guns,” Magistrate Jago said.
“The legislation needs to make it clear.”
She said that before Tasmania Police put out some clarification on the issue in
November last year there had been a vacuum of information about the legality of gel blasters. The court was told Johnston was using the replica Glock and rifles for target practice in his shed and there was no sinister intent behind his acquisition of them.
“I accept at the time you had bought them on the internet you did not know it was illegal and had sought information beforehand,”
Magistrate Jago told Johnston. “There is no evidence you misused them or had any intent of doing so.”
Mr Johnston was fined $350 plus court costs.
A government spokesperson said the current laws were appropriate.
“We encourage Tasmanians who are unsure about the classification of a firearm to please contact Firearm Services for advice,” they said.
Police Assistant Commissioner Adrian Bodnar said any imitation firearm that could reasonably be mistaken for a real firearm was prohibited under the Firearms Act.
“This means any gel blaster that looks like a firearm is illegal to possess,” Assistant Commissioner Bodnar said.
“These types of gel blasters have been used by criminals in the past to threaten and intimidate and are not welcome.”
People who are unsure about the classifications of firearms can contact Firearms Services for advice.