AALARA Acts on Queensland Weapons Law and Laser Skirmish

Responding to proposed changes in firearms law in Queensland, the Australian Amusement, Leisure and Recreation Association (AALARA) has called for Laser Tag and Laser Skirmish gaming devices to be excluded from the draft legislation.

Fearing that new legislation "may have a very negative impact on the ability of Laser Tag and Laser Skirmish businesses to continue to operate and employ Queenslanders in the future", the Association made a comprehensive submission to the review process, also calling for a clear definition of imitation firearms to be included in the Bill, highlighting means taken to identify imitation weapons used by Laser Tag and Laser Skirmish businesses.

With the Queensland Government undertaking a review of its 1990 Weapons Act, at the beginning of September AALARA informed, then sought the input of, industry stakeholders likely to be impacted by proposed changes to the legislation.

A 2008 Queensland Government review recommended amendments to make the 1990 Act more user-friendly and as a result a Ministerial Weapons Act Review Committee was formed and the Act and its Regulations were re-written.

That same committee (comprising of representatives from the weapons industry, civil rights, Government and the Queensland Police Service) reconvened in March this year to ensure the legislation addressed the needs of the community.

Changes recommended by the review include:

• Introducing a requirement for prospective weapons licensees to complete an approved safety training course;
• Regulating the use of laser pointers greater than 1 milliwatt;
• Introducing online processing of licence applications and permits; and
• Introducing new fees for selected weapons transactions.

Informing Laser Tag and Laser Skirmish businesses of the proposed changes, AALARA General Manager Kim Hackwood wrote "I strongly encourage you to take this opportunity to respond to the proposals for legislative amendment presented in the Discussion Draft of the Bill.

"AALARA, in the interest of the laser tag industry within Australia, seeks your support in providing feedback on the proposed legislative changes amendment presented in the Discussion Draft of the Bill, which will become law in Queensland in the near future."

The discussion draft of the Weapons Bill 2010 can be viewed at www.police.qld.gov.au/programs/weaponsLicensing/weapons_bill/

For more information call AALARA on 07 3807 3508, E: info@aalara.com.au

Image used for illustrative purposes only.

20th May 2009 - GOLD COAST EVENT TO FOCUS ON THE BUSINESS OF HAVING FUN