Structure and Summary of the Act Offences Section 31 – False statements, certificates and permits
112.This section creates two offences around providing false information in order to obtain an air weapon certificate, permit, or approval, or producing a falsified or improperly altered certificate or other information in order to obtain the repair or testing of an air weapon.
113.Subsection (1) makes it an offence to knowingly or recklessly make a statement which contains false information in order to procure an air weapon certificate, police permit, visitor permit, event permit, or club approval. This could include, for example, providing a false name, or declining to disclose a criminal history when asked. This offence may also be committed by the person verifying the application, if the verifier knew that the information was incorrect or was reckless in verifying false information.
114.Subsection (2) makes it an offence to produce a false or improperly altered air weapon certificate, police permit or visitor permit, or to provide any other false information, in order to purchase or acquire an air weapon, or to have one repaired or tested. This could include, for example, impersonating an air weapon certificate holder, or amending the details on an expired certificate so that it appeared to still be live.