So, you're checking your weekend property or hobby farm, and you discover someone's broken in. Your heart sinks as you realise your gun safe has been tampered with. It's every licensed firearms holder's worst nightmare – and unfortunately, it's happening more often than you'd think.

The Rural Crime Prevention Team from NSW Police Force has been investigating a string of firearm thefts that could have been prevented if owners had followed the storage laws properly. The hard truth is these aren't just guidelines – they're legal requirements that carry serious penalties if you get them wrong.

What counts as an uninhabited dwelling?

"We get asked this question all the time," says a spokesperson from the Rural Crime Prevention Team. An uninhabited dwelling is any structure that isn't your main home – your weekender, hobby farm, or that second property you visit on weekends.

It also includes anywhere you store firearms that's out of sight of your house. That old shed down the back paddock? If you can't see it from your kitchen window, it counts.

The rules you need to follow

If you're storing firearms at an uninhabited dwelling, you must have these three things in place:

Your safe must be:

• An approved type
• Fitted with an alarm that has off-site monitoring (smart technology alarms count)
• Your firearms must be:
• Secured individually inside the safe
• Fitted with trigger or barrel locks

Your property must have:

• An intruder or duress alarm with back-to-base monitoring capabilities

These aren't suggestions – they're legal requirements.

"Our focus is on investigating these thefts, charging those responsible and getting the firearms back," the team explains.

"But if you don't have these conditions in place, you could face action for not ensuring the safekeeping of your firearm."

The consequences are serious

As a licensed firearms holder, you're legally responsible for ensuring your firearms don't get stolen, lost, or end up in unauthorised hands. The penalties reflect how seriously the law takes this responsibility:

If a prohibited firearm or pistol is stolen: up to $5,500 penalty units or two years imprisonment, or both

For any other firearm: up to $2,200 or 12 months imprisonment, or both

Beyond the legal penalties, there's the risk of having your licence suspended – something that could affect your livelihood if you depend on firearms for work or pest control.

Getting it right

The Rural Crime Prevention Team wants to help you avoid becoming a victim of firearm theft.

These storage requirements exist for good reason – to keep firearms out of the wrong hands and protect the broader community.

If you're unsure about any of these requirements or need clarification about what applies to your situation, take the time to visit the NSW Firearms Registry website at https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/online_services/firearms.

"We'd much rather help you get your storage right than investigate after your firearms have been stolen," the team says. "It's about protecting your property, your licence, and keeping our communities safe."

The bottom line is simple: if you store firearms at an uninhabited dwelling, make sure you've got the right security measures in place. Your guns, your licence, and your community's safety depend on it.