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Australian gun control laws make Transformer collecting hard

Posted by:
Knightwing at 2007-09-25 9:17 pm
Apparently, Australia has some very strict gun control laws.  It appears that the laws down under include not just real firearms, but also toys that appear to be realistic guns.  One Aussie Transfomer collector, Tiby, has found out that in essence the MP-05 Megatron is subject to the same type of legal restrictions as a real P-38.  Tiby, however, hasn't given up.  In fact this collector is going so far as to create a fan club to meet gun permit requirement regulations.  Tiby has website for his collector's club which is a real fan site as well as having the details of his ordeal trying to legally aquire an MP-05.

Comments
megatron said,  - 2007-09-25 23:56:00
that sucks i read the news on tformers.com and went to tibys web site .i think i might join the club just to help them get there mp-05. my mp-05 is modified ,maybe they should have the same law.
human_error said,  - 2007-09-26 00:42:57
did any one else look at his collection. very impressive if i must say so my self. i hope he can get his megatron to go along with his other masterpieces. ill defiantly join his cause!
Knight wing said,  - 2007-09-26 05:20:45
A simple orange plug won't do in this case. I read the legal requirements. The local police are having to much trouble with criminals using fake gus to rob people. The MP-05 is just too real looking in the dark when you're being threatened with it.

And yes, it is a very impressive collecion! I'm jealous.
Jumpercliff said,  - 2007-09-26 16:13:21
I actually think that they have a right to have a law like that. I bet that the one other place other than online shops, people's collections, and conventions that you'd find the MP-05 is a NRA meetings.
Knight wing said,  - 2007-09-26 16:56:49
You may be right, but I don't know of any TF collectors who have gone out of their way to have a real p-38.
Starscream/Ty said,  - 2007-09-27 15:21:21
Wait. How do guns relate to transformers? What the f k.
human_error said,  - 2007-09-27 19:10:35
Well Starscream/ty, the very first megatron (that was way before your time) was a walter p-38 hand gun. and the masterpiece Megatron is the same.

http://www.unicron.us/tf1984/toypix/megatron.htm

http://www.toysnjoys.com/transformers/masterpiecemp-05megatron.jpg
Starscream/Ty said,  - 2007-09-27 20:09:35
Yeah, human_error. But even as a gun, he's a robot TOY. Once again:what the f k?!
Master Dex said,  - 2007-09-27 20:48:26
The main issue being that both the original and masterpiece look incredibly like a real gun, and can be mistaken for such. Someone could take a Megatron into a bank and rob it pointing the 'gun' around. No one is going to take the time to notice it's just a toy when they are scared of getting shot. Granted it would be harder with the masterpiece which is a bit oversized and plastic, whereas the original is made of die cast and can look more real. This is the reason for the gun laws we have, think it sounds hard to get an MP-05, try finding an original Megatron in America, it's practically impossible.
Knight wing said,  - 2007-09-27 20:51:47
Here's how it ultimatly works out. This is also the same reason the MP-05 & Encore Megatron had to have orange safety caps to be legal in the USA.---

Criminals use guns to intimidate and harm inocent people. Inocent people know this. Therefore if you flash a gun, people will be afriad.

Criminals know this. Therefore, criminals use toy guns to commit real crimes. Because, at a glance in a real situation an avarage person couldn't tell the difference between the toy and the real thing. By doing this they hope to avoid "use of a weapon" charges should they ever be caught because it's not a weapon it's a toy.

To take it a step further, in some cases gun control laws become so strict that it's too dificult for criminals to get one. Agian, as long as you have no intent on harming anyone only intimidating them a realistic looking gun will do very well.

All of that in a strange way is why I disagreed with Jumpercliff. Because the people who are into Transformers collect TFs, and the people that are in to firearms collect guns. I have no doubt that there are people who collect both. But, one collection has nothing to do with the other.

BTW- in most states even if holding a toy you can be brought up on "use of a weapon" charges. The victum of a crime only has to belive you have a weapon pointed at them. These laws were writen expressly for the above mentioned reasons.
megatron said,  - 2007-09-27 22:47:46
off subject, i was at walmart and i found the optimus prime voice changer ,not only was it on sale for $19.97 it also had a bonus on the side of the box which was a t.e.c.h gear .very cool.
human_error said,  - 2007-09-28 02:55:01
Does anyone else see the irony of this situation! That being Australia was founded primarily by England's criminals? im not saying anything about the people that reside there now, i just find it ironic.
Starscream/Ty said,  - 2007-09-28 06:03:54
All you guys take this stuff way to seriously. I don't care. Let's get back to the transformers 2 conversation.
Mapps said,  - 2007-09-28 17:46:45
one thing to note, for anyone not familiar with Australia’s gun control situation, is that there are virtually no guns here in the ordinary population. That changes things. In the states guns are familiar and people are less sensitive. over here a toy gun holds a lot more sway to people who aren’t used to guns at all. We'd all need counselling a decade to recover from a "hold up".
Also cause of said lack of guns, toy guns are more sought for such purposes.
Knight wing said,  - 2007-09-28 17:50:55
That's a tough situation to be in. My best wishes to all our Aussie viewers!
Starscream/Ty said,  - 2007-09-28 17:56:05
I'm bored. *_*
plasmaster said,  - 2007-09-29 22:41:15
do not despair. i recently tried to get a megatron reissue legally, and found that the permit requirements were extreme to the point of ridiculous. however, as i am not easily beaten, i said fuckit and ordered one from hong kong just as i would any other transformer. imagine my surprise when it turned up three weeks later with an "inspected by customs" sticker on it! so, either he who dares wins, or there are loopholes that we are not supposed to know about. draw your own conclusions.


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