Here is the recent announcement from the Police Minister this morning in regards to gel blasters. Great news for everybody inside the Gel Blaster Club, as within the body of the statement this was mentioned:
“Finally, police have suggested that the owners of gel blasters should have a reasonable excuse for their possession.
A reasonable excuse would be, for example, that the owner of the gel blaster is a member of a gel blaster club and owns it for taking part in club activities.”
Statement Released – Gel Blasters in QLD
Being apart of a Gel Blaster Club is extremely beneficial to all members, and is highly recommended by the Police Commissioner directly.
FULL STATEMENT BELOW
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“Ministerial Statement made by the police minister this morning (unedited)
The Hon. Mark Ryan MP
Minister for Police
Minister for Corrective Services
6 February 2020
Gel Blasters – Police Recommendations
Mr Speaker, community safety is of paramount importance to the Palaszczuk Government.
One of the important considerations when supporting community safety is to identify emerging trends or issues of concern.
Mr Speaker, last year we witnessed a spate of incidents involving the misuse of gel blasters.
This concerned many people in the community.
And I asked the Police Commissioner to look into what steps could be taken to enhance community safety.
The Government has received that advice.
The Police recommend that regulations be put in place to enhance community safety, regarding the possession of replicas and gel blasters that look like real weapons.
Firstly, it is important to reinforce that anyone who transports a replica firearm or a gel blaster that looks like the real thing, in public, then that item should be carried in a suitable bag or case, away from public view.
Secondly, police recommend that owners of gel blasters that look like the real thing and replica firearms should keep them secured when stored at home.
Finally, police have suggested that the owners of gel blasters should have a reasonable excuse for their possession.
A reasonable excuse would be, for example, that the owner of the gel blaster is a member of a gel blaster club and owns it for taking part in club activities.
Police are not proposing a ban on gel blasters.
The vast majority of gel blaster owners behave responsibly.
But police have advised that action does need to be taken to address incidents where realistic looking gel blasters have been misused by a reckless minority.
What is being suggested is a sensible set of regulations that will support a greater level of community safety.
Mr Speaker, we are a government that consults, that listens to community concerns.
What we want now is for members of the community to provide us with their feedback on the suggestions police have put forward in relation to gel blasters and replicas.
I encourage all Queenslanders to have their say on the Queensland Government’s “Get Involved” website.”
Additional information in regards to Gel Blasters in QLD can be found here: https://www.police.qld.gov.au/weapon-licensing/Gel-Blasters.