Author: Jon Ross
Practice area: Firearms offences
Jon is a Senior Associate at Doogue + George with over 20 years of exclusive criminal defence experience, including serious violent crime and gang-related matters across London's Magistrates' and Crown Courts. His depth of experience in this area means clients receive accurate, considered advice.
View full profile →Jon authored this content and last revised it for accuracy on 6 August 2026.
What is the offence of Fail to Store Category A or B Longarm Correctly?
This offence under section 121(1) of the Firearms Act 1996 applies where a person possessing a category A or B longarm does not store it in the secure receptacle required by law. Improper storage can result in criminal liability.
Key points
- What must be proved: the accused possessed a category A or B longarm and failed to store it in accordance with item 1 of Schedule 4.
- Type of conduct: storing a firearm other than in a compliant locked receptacle meeting Schedule 4 requirements.
- Usual court level: Magistrates’ Court.
The maximum penalty for this offence is a fine of 60 penalty units ($12,546.00 — as at 2026–27) or imprisonment for up to 12 months.
Common defences may include: honest and reasonable mistake of belief, necessity or emergency circumstances, and factual disputes about storage compliance.
Have you been accused of Fail to Store Category A or B Longarm Correctly? You will normally become aware of this allegation when police conduct their random inspection of your firearms or if they execute a search warrant at your home because someone has made a complaint about how your firearms are stored. You should take the opportunity to call one of our lawyers as soon as you become aware the police are concerned with how you are storing your firearms.
Police Interview
The police only interview people they suspect of committing an offence.
Therefore, it is worth getting legal advice before agreeing to participate in an interview. The police interview is not your opportunity to explain your version and hope the police will stop their investigation. The police will normally have gathered evidence they want to rely on to support the allegations before they interview, but they will not show this to you until you answer their questions.
It is also worth knowing that anything you tell police can appear in a brief of evidence against you. There is no such things as an “off the record” chat. They will use anything they think is useful against you in court.
Pleading Not Guilty
You may decide to plead not guilty to a charge of Failing to Store Category A or B Longarm Correctly because the police have made a mistake in their assessment. If this is the case, one of our experienced defence lawyers can defend you in court. You want someone on your side who is going to carefully listen to your instructions and proactively protect your interests in court.
Our lawyers will put the police to their proofs and request disclosure material which may reveal flaws in their investigation. Our lawyers will ask:
- Did the police take photographs?
- Did the police have a lawful right to enter your property?
Pleading Guilty
If the police have a strong case against you, it may be in your best interests to resolve your matter to get the full benefit of resolving your case early.
One of our lawyers can represent you at court on a plea of guilty. Your lawyer will advise you of the consequences of pleading guilty. For example, the Licence and Regulation Division may cancel your firearms licence.
Your lawyer will appear in court and present your personal circumstances to the Magistrate with the aim of mitigating your penalty. Your lawyer will also explain your reason for Failing to Store your Category A or B Longarm correctly.
Sentencing
Sentencing in the higher courts of Victoria
Source: Sentencing Advisory Council of Victoria (SACStat), Firearms Act 1996 (Vic) s 121(1) — 13 charges, higher courts, 1 July 2019 – 30 June 2024.
| Sentencing outcome | % |
|---|---|
| Fine | 46.2% |
| Imprisonment | 38.5% |
| Community Correction Order | 15.4% |
The data demonstrates a markedly greater likelihood of imprisonment when matters proceed at this level, often reflecting increased seriousness or aggravating features. Even so, sentencing remains individualised. The court will consider the surrounding circumstances, the degree of non-compliance and the offender’s background before determining penalty. Strong, strategic advocacy is essential where the prospect of imprisonment is significant.
Sentencing in the Magistrates’ Courts of Victoria
Source: Sentencing Advisory Council of Victoria (SACStat), Firearms Act 1996 (Vic) s 121(1) — 224 charges across 192 cases, Magistrates’ Court, 1 July 2020 – 30 June 2023.
| Sentencing outcome | % |
|---|---|
| Fine | 51.3% |
| Adjourned Undertaking | 37.5% |
| Discharge/Dismissal | 3.6% |
| Community Correction Order | 6.2% |
| Imprisonment | 1.3% |
These figures indicate that custody is possible but uncommon at this level. Courts frequently favour financial penalties or supervised, community-based dispositions. The ultimate sentence will depend on factors such as the level of risk created, prior history and any steps taken to address compliance concerns. Careful preparation can materially influence the outcome.
Which court will the case be heard in?
As a summary offence, any summons for this charge will primarily be handled by the Magistrates’ Court.
Elements of the offence
The prosecution must prove the following two elements:
- The accused possessed a category A or B longarm; and
- The longarm was not stored in the manner provided for in item 1 of Schedule 4 of the Act.
Item 1 of Schedule 4 of the Firearms Act 1996
- The firearm must be stored in a receptacle—
- which is constructed of hard wood or steel that is not easily penetrable; and
- which, if it weighs less than 150 kilograms when it is empty, must be fixed to the frame of the floor or the wall of the premises where the firearm is kept in such a manner that it is not easily removable; and
- which, when any firearm is stored in it, is locked with a lock of sturdy construction.
Examples of Fail to Store Category A or B Longarm Correctly
- Storing a gun in an unlocked locker;
- Leaving a gun on a bench;
- The gun locker is not secured to the building for example with bolts.
Legislation
The legislation for this offence can be found on section 121(1) of the Firearms Act 1996.
Defences
Criminal defences that are available are honest and reasonable mistake of belief, necessity, sudden or extraordinary emergency and incorrect factual matrix. We defended one on the basis that the Police were making an incorrect assessment of the weight which resulted in a withdrawal of charges.
The decision on whether to plead guilty or not guilty to this charge can best be made only after a careful analysis of the facts of your case. Contact a criminal lawyer to assess the merits of your case.
Questions in cases like this
- Was the firearm stored properly?
- Do you have a reason for not storing the firearm properly?
- Do you have photographs of the storage unit?
Maximum penalty for section 121(1) of the Firearms Act 1996
The offence of Fail to Store Category A or B Longarm Correctly (s121(1) of the Firearms Act 1996) carries a fine of 60 penalty units ($12,546.00 — as at 2026–27) or 12 months imprisonment as the highest possible sentence.
