Owning MP Megatron in Australia

1337W422102 wrote:Meanwhile the guys who want to get real guns meet in the truck behind the Arby's downtown in the middle of the night and no one is the wiser.

DorkimusPrime wrote:Some Aussie government officials have their pretty pink panties in a wad over nothing...

Burn said:The original G1 Megatron was in fact banned in certain States of Australia back in the 80's when he was used in an armed hold-up

Loki41872 wrote:That's why on census forms or loan applications I allways check the "Native American" box. I'm not a member of a tribe, but I was born here, thus I'm "Native".

i_amtrunks wrote:It's serious Leige.

And each State has slightly different rules, laws, by-laws and loopholes. For Example people from New South Wales (where I come from) had alot of problems with importing MP05 Megatron, but as yet no complaints about Encore Megatron.
Victoria and South Australia had some issues but many fans reported getting their figures problem free.

Go figure.

i_amtrunks wrote:Cant believe Port Arthur was 11 years ago...

What really gets me riled up is that they are trying to stop as many MP Megatron's entering the country, yet doing absolutely nothing about the Encore Megatron's, or any of the hundreds of correct scale "toy" guns you can get in $2 shops.

It reeks of a money making exercise.

Burn wrote:For those who may have missed all the news a few months ago when Masterpiece Megatron was released, a number of Australian collectors found their MP Megatron's seized by Australian Customs.

They had decided that MP Megatron was to be classified as a "replica firearm" and could only be imported if you had appropriate licenses and what not.

Not all Megatron's were seized and some made it through, but a number of them were which spurred Australian Collector Tiby (a practicing Lawyer) into action to help his fellow collectors get their hands on Megatron without too much hassle.

The result hasn't been highly overwhelming but the Government and Customs have made regulations for collectors to import and own Megatron legally.

The full story

Tiby wrote:Announcement on 25 September 2007 by Police Minister David Campbell. Click here

I am setting up a collector's club which will be open for collectors to join, and thereby fulfil one of the requirements for owning Masterpiece Megatron. To quote the Minister, the requirements are as follows:

· Undergoing a criminal and probity check;

· Providing a genuine reason for ownership of the toy;

· Providing proof of membership to a collector’s club; and

· Abiding by safe storage, surrender and disposal requirements.

The criminal and probity check is a Firearms Registry requirement, and usually done by local police.

A genuine reason for ownership of the toy is that a person is a collector of Transformers.

Proof of membership of a collector's club will be part of what I will provide in the club.

Safe storage includes a locked cabinet. I recommend the following:

Display and Rack Systems

I will update this site as the club progresses with more details on how to join.

Thanks for your support!

The collector's club he's setting will no doubt be Australian only, however if you're Australian and already a member of the international club that should cover you.

Either way, plenty of hoops to jump through just to own a toy.

Burn wrote:So that's why Megatron has now been classed as a replica firearm. Little bit over-sized? Yes. But how many people working a convenience store will notice that when there's some masked person waving a gun at their face?

Burn wrote:So you want to jump up and down to repeal laws set up to protect the general populace ... all because of a toy?

Yeah ... no thanks, i'll look at the bigger picture. Someone care to quote the figures from America when the gun laws were softened over there a few years back?

Of course the hypocritical thing is that while I support these gun laws, I do own a MP Megatron, a G1 Megatron, a G1 Megaplex and a G1 Browning but i'd much rather get the appropriate permits than fight a law that's prevented another Port Arthur.

Burn wrote:So you want to jump up and down to repeal laws set up to protect the general populace ... all because of a toy?

Yeah ... no thanks, i'll look at the bigger picture. Someone care to quote the figures from America when the gun laws were softened over there a few years back?

Of course the hypocritical thing is that while I support these gun laws, I do own a MP Megatron, a G1 Megatron, a G1 Megaplex and a G1 Browning but i'd much rather get the appropriate permits than fight a law that's prevented another Port Arthur.

Burn wrote:

DorkimusPrime wrote:Some Aussie government officials have their pretty pink panties in a wad over nothing...

Not true.

A number of years ago a little event occurred called the "Port Arthur Massacre". One man walked into a restaurant and let loose with his guns, as far as I know it's still the record.

Following that there was a massive crackdown on guns in Australia. Automatic and semi-automatic were banned completely. The Government also funded a buy-back scheme where owners turned in theirs guns and got paid for them, that stockpile was subsequently destroyed.

Then they tightened licensing laws. On top of that they also tightened laws regarding "replica firearms".

The original G1 Megatron was in fact banned in certain States of Australia back in the 80's when he was used in an armed hold-up.

So that's why Megatron has now been classed as a replica firearm. Little bit over-sized? Yes. But how many people working a convenience store will notice that when there's some masked person waving a gun at their face?

Yeah, it is a toy, but unfortunately he (both MP and G1) can be considered replica firearms. I'd much rather these rules stay in place than have them softened.

So yeah, you may think it's a stupid rule, but you don't realise what lead to these rules being introduced in the first place, and i'm glad the rules were changed to prevent something like that.

Calvatron wrote:whatever, you live in a country of 60+ million people. And you're talking about 2 or 3 incidencts in 20 years. the quality of life that comes with freedom from government overuling is well worth the minimal cost in lives. Especially when statistics(which are all lies in themselves) prove that that when one source of violence is suppressed another shows up to refill the resevoir. My point being is the people that committed those crimes would have done so whether or not they had to work to get weapons(fakes). It's a matter of desire, not availability. The rules were changed, and murderers now use knives. so what. there are still murderers and we're one step closer to 1984. Sorry to be harsh, but people like you elected george bush, and now the U.S is declining as a country. we had hit our high mark. And we have more violence and unrest than ever. I know this is about a toy, but you people piss me off. if i have gotten you wrong, i'm sorry.

Ultra Markus wrote:those officials just want them for there own collection or sell them on ebay for 100% profit.
I wonder if the USA collectors has had any problem?

Burn wrote:Sure the gangs in Australia get guns, handguns, which are still fairly readily available even with a license, because they're not on the banned list like automatic or semi-automatic they're much easier to pick up on the black market.

Burn wrote:But guns are for pussies, if you're going to inflict harm on someone in Australia you use your fists or head dammit!

i_amtrunks wrote:

Burn wrote:Sure the gangs in Australia get guns, handguns, which are still fairly readily available even with a license, because they're not on the banned list like automatic or semi-automatic they're much easier to pick up on the black market.

That or they just nick weapons, grenades and night vision goggles from Army bases and training grounds...

Burn wrote:

i_amtrunks wrote:

Burn wrote:Sure the gangs in Australia get guns, handguns, which are still fairly readily available even with a license, because they're not on the banned list like automatic or semi-automatic they're much easier to pick up on the black market.

That or they just nick weapons, grenades and night vision goggles from Army bases and training grounds...

Yeah, THAT I didn't want to bring up.

"Oh yes, we seem to have misplaced four rocket launchers, hopefully they won't fall into bad hands."

Burn wrote:Any gun shootings in America we hear about here.

I can't recall hearing any in Australia since Port Arthur and the gun control being tightened. Murders however you still hear about, they're just more gruesome.

King Starscream89 wrote:i think its crap that goverment has made it hard to own a damn toy

Burn wrote:

King Starscream89 wrote:i think its crap that goverment has made it hard to own a damn toy

I think it's great that the government has made it hard for someone to go on a mass murdering spree. Even if it does make it hard on my hobby of toy collecting.

Loki41872 wrote:In Switzerland, every able bodied male is in the militia, and every household has an automatic rifle. Look up gun crime stats in Switzerland. There's practically NONE.

Dough-bot wrote:hi Burn
sorry to go slightly off the main topic

I sent a reissue Megatron to Australia and this was 2 1/2 months ago, the buyer has not recieved it yet so am I right in assuming that its been siezed by OZ Customs and tell matey to check with them

cheers DB