Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum Under Threat

The world-famous Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum (LSAFM) in Australia is threatened by a combination of police bureaucracy and clueless or hostile management. On August 25, 2024, thieves broke in and stole 27 antique and collectible pistols. At this time, 18 of the pistols have been recovered.

This correspondent visited the wonderful museum in 2019. It is an incredible example of cultural heritage and history. It contained thousands of invaluable historical artifacts of firearms and their technology. Here is a summation from of the museum site as of 30 October 2024:

Following a break-in on 25 August, making national and international news, urgent security upgrades are needed.  Approval for these upgrades has still not been given by the site owner. This is despite their knowledge that the museum’s future is now at risk. Delays and uncertainties regarding site ownership threaten conservation and education on this remarkable site.

NSW Police have ordered security upgrades to protect the historic firearms collection. Three of these are critical for safe-keeping of the historic firearms. Another 14 are necessary before rebuilding of the displays can begin. Without these upgrades, LSAFM risks losing its firearms permits, which would lead to the confiscation of its collection and the death of the Museum. The historic firearms were the Factory’s major product and remain a key drawcard for visitors.

The multinational Thales Group, the building owner, has prohibited any work, even minor cosmetic fixes, from proceeding without their approval. For the critical security upgrades, LSAFM volunteers worked urgently to submit the highly detailed quotes and specifications demanded by Thales. It has now been over eight weeks without approval. Thales is aware of the financial strain—$5,000 per week for night security guards—and the impact on volunteer morale and stress. 

Meanwhile, the Museum remains closed, and we have no income. The volunteers are eager to start rebuilding the exhibits, but their hands are tied.

Thales is a major technology and defense company partially owned by the French government. Thales Australia currently owns the property on which the Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum is located. The property and the Museum cannot be reasonably separated. There was an in-process agreement to transfer the property where the museum is sited, and which is an integral part of the Museum, from Thales to the Museum for a nominal fee. With a change in the administration of Thales, that agreement has stalled.

Empty museum displays. $5,000 a week is spent on security, mandated by NSW police.

It appears the police requirement for security upgrades, combined with either indifference or hostility from Thales Australia management, has placed this cultural treasure in imminent danger of extirpation. The combination of police requirements for security upgrades and the glacial response of Thales Australia management is causing the Museum to hemorrhage cash.  $5000 a week for security is not sustainable.

According to New South Wales law, local police are able to require and enforce security measures for firearms storage.  One of the requirements for collection and display is that handguns be permanently rendered inoperable (primarily by means of welding). This destroys the value of collectable firearms. It was reported to this correspondent an exemption had been granted to the LSAFM in 2019.

There are two different petitions available for people to sign to let authorities know they believe the museum is valuable and worth saving. One of these petitions is online to the New South Wales Parliament.  When this correspondent clicks on the link, access is denied for security purposes. This petition may be limited to residents of New South Wales.

There is a Global online petition to secure the future of Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum. The global petition appears to be available to everyone.

wbbAbout Dean Weingarten:

Dean Weingarten has been a peace officer, a military officer, was on the University of Wisconsin Pistol Team for four years, and was first certified to teach firearms safety in 1973. He taught the Arizona concealed carry course for fifteen years until the goal of Constitutional Carry was attained. He has degrees in meteorology and mining engineering, and retired from the Department of Defense after a 30 year career in Army Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation.