well that may not be long lol here the federal government is not very helpful to collectors after many years fighting local state authorities we have a good rapor going and reasonably decent laws but the federal powers especially customs and I suspect the federal police are out to get us all to feather their own nests on guize of potential threats to society etc making ridiculous conditions to import items which I fear is the start of bad thngs to come . I was in court with customs last year and probably will be again soon as they seem to have no issue in giving us a consistent hard time changing the rules and making up silly terms that risk my licences on every import .I am recently bogged down in fighting for common sense in import permit issueing for collectibles they are using the worst of everyones standards and applying them to us now . ie recent issues is they want all artillery shells quartered to show they are empty and want artillery to have all covers welded and other actions done when it is obscolete and I can own it here working and have police support to import historical items .
if everyone keeps lobbying the attorney general there is a chance it may come better ie import on a simple b709 from police but I have been in a fight with them consistently over imports for last 30 years and they have had their minions do many bad thngs to me and my gear with no accountability and I am saying this so you understand I cant spend all my time helping you as preserving the collection and fighting these clowns for common scence is my priority to protect the collection and improve it for all .
I can understand your wish to imporve your sight and I will offer you as much help as I can but there will be limits with above battles always on the go .as well I want to enjoy collecting and lifes other pleasures . I dont back down to people in power out of control and has been a fun ride to date and will be until federally they recognize collectors of pre1950 weapons are not a threat but an asset . many people who come and see the collection are first amazed at it and it has been my lifes work, but then are equally amazed at how I get no government support in fact the opposite
Before myself and the police understood each other I had 24 raids (where I dont invite them ) and gun to my head twice such is the paranoia on these items even recently with me being a police advisor I still suffered a recent wrongful arrest and said to the officer if this is how you treat your freinds hate to see what you do to your enemies lol nothing came of it and police are generally pretty good I even had them as witness in my recent court case with customs and that arrest issue was just one police officer out of her depth
Anyway enough ranting just painting you a picture so you understand i cant devote myself solely to your web site this site was a big move for me and I enjoy it but it does knock time out the day .
I think the authorities are in the proces of imortalzing me for prosperity already I know they call me Mr B and its not my surname lol:-(
finally a wise fellow collector said we never own these items we are merley custodians for future generations who pay for the pleasure of looking after an item and if we do a good job it passes to the next person with a possible profit, guranteeing its preservation for posperity . I myself know when I die i if the collection survives past me then it was worthwhile and the wife can bunge jump off the auction proceeds lol :-) or make it an even bigger collection as it seems to be self perpetuating she collects ww1 German spiked helmets and has over 500 and is getting bored and looking at guns now
if you search Peter Flahavins site on our pacific adventures you wil also see another side of relic hunting i started him in hs jungle touring and was also a great fun thng i want to go back to when I am finished with current projects
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