In the Ridiculous Category (we don’t have one, but we probably should), we learn from Queensland, Australia that toy guns – or anything that mimics a gun in shape or form – will require licensing and proper storage. Those who break the law will face severe civil penalties ranging from $750 to $4000 dollars (AUD):

ANY ITEM that looks like a gun will have to be licensed under several changes to the Weapons Act being considered by the Queensland State Government.

Even guns made out of materials as unlikely as soap or plastic may have to be kept under lock and key if they could “reasonably be taken to be a weapon”.

The draft act says an imitation is a “reasonable copy” of a weapon that is not capable of causing death or injury.

“If it looks like a gun and feels like a gun, it will have to be licensed,” said a government source.

“We just want to know where they are.”

It is unclear how the draft affects toy guns.

Failure to license an imitation weapon will carry a maximum $4500 fine under the proposals and incorrect storage carries a penalty of $750.

source: News Limited Australia

Hat tip to Ol’ Remus at the Woodpile Report for the weekly Monday wrap up where we were alerted to this story.