Prohibited Weapons (Noise Suppression Devices) Declaration 2016 (No 1)
Disallowable instrument DI2016- 51

Explanatory Statement

Section 4L(1)(c) of the Prohibited Weapons Act 1996 allows the Registrar of Firearms to declare that something is not a prohibited article.  Schedule 2 of the Prohibited Firearms Act provides that “an article or device intended for use to muffle, reduce or stop the noise created by firing a firearm” is a prohibited article.

In certain circumstances, the use of noise suppression devices fitted to firearms in strictly controlled circumstances is reasonable and necessary.

These circumstances are where:
•	people are authorised to undertake animal management activities for the ACT Government; and

•	firearms dealers, who are also licensed to manufacture firearms or noise suppression devices, need to undertake quality controls, such as test firing, during the manufacturing process.

This instrument prescribes the requirements to be met for a noise suppression device to not constitute a prohibited article under the Prohibited Weapons Act.