Gel Blasters

340 Mr ODENWALDER (Elizabeth) (15 October 2020). When did SAPOL first advise the minister or minister's office of their concerns about the use of gel blasters?

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA (Hartley—Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services): I have been advised:

South Australia Police (SAPOL) provided advice during 2019 regarding gel blasters and how they were being used in the community. The advice provided during 2019 concluded that gel blasters were not firearms.

On 12 March 2020, SAPOL advised the former minister that since the provision of SAPOL's advice in 2019, there had been advancements in the evolution and modification of gel blasters. At that time, SAPOL advised that it would further consider, review and research potential response options.