This was published 4 years ago
No more gun sales as Victorian coronavirus cases rise above 900
By Anthony Colangelo and Sumeyya Ilanbey
Victorians will no longer be able to buy guns or ammunition and a Melbourne bar has been fined almost $10,000 for breaching social-distancing rules, as authorities crack down in a bid to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Police have warned they will take a harder line issuing penalties, as Victoria enters stage three of its response to the coronavirus crisis.
Since Monday, there have been 96 new cases of coronavirus identified in Victoria, bringing the total to 917. The death toll remains at four.
Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton said the temporary ban on guns and ammunition was aimed at stemming the sale of the weapons, which have spiked amid the coronavirus pandemic.
There were more than 2200 applications for firearms in Victorian last week, Mr Patton said, double the previous week.
"We're really trying to make it safe for the public, we're stopping the unnecessary storage of firearms and ammunition, and there was no legitimate need for this attempted stockpiling," Mr Patton said.
Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton says police will take a much more hardline approach. Credit: Scott McNaughton
After seeing applications more than double over a short period of time, police believed it was "too much of a risk to allow that to continue," he said.
The new laws will restrict the sale of ammunition and guns for recreational and sport shooters. Those with a clear "occupational" need for firearms, such as security guards and primary producers, can still apply for permits and purchase guns and ammunition.
Mr Patton said the force would also begin cracking down on people who leave their homes for any reason other than seeking medical help, getting access to food and supplies (which includes takeaway food and coffee, and attending the pharmacy), going to work or school and exercising.
From Tuesday, Victorians can be fined $1600 and police will no longer show leniency.
"We've been fairly lenient, I suppose, in enforcement of that - we've issued a lot of warnings, a lot of verbal discussions with people - but I think, now, the time for that has passed," Mr Patton said.
"Unless you've been living under a rock or unless you're an idiot, you're quite clear the restrictions are there ... so we're going to be enforcing them from today."
The hardline approach comes as Mr Patton revealed police had on Monday issued their first on-the-spot fine - almost $10,000 - to a business for not following the law and acting as though it was "business as usual".
Police attended a Fitzroy bar on Saturday night where there were six staff members serving two patrons who sat inside drinking alcohol.
"When the persons who were running the venue on Saturday night were interviewed about it, they weren't cooperative," Mr Patton said.
"They refused to state how long they'd been open, and they refused to state why they've been open - in effect, a no comment response.
"[The $10,000] fine is a really big hit, and we know that is a significant fine especially in these times when businesses are struggling. But people must comply with these restrictions."
Police carried out 1225 spot checks on Monday, and since March 21 have conducted 7010 checks on people who have been ordered to self-isolate.
Police Minister Lisa Neville urged people to contact Victoria Police if they noticed anyone breaching quarantine orders.
"As communities we can get through this," Ms Neville said. "People want to come out at the end of the day with a community that's cohesive."