In Western Australia (WA), the Labor government has announced a $64 million firearms buyback as part of a broader overhaul of gun ownership. The goal of the new legislation is to improve public safety and remove unnecessary firearms from the community. Under the proposed laws, a series of stricter regulations will be introduced, including mandatory health assessments for gun applicants, compulsory firearms training, and limits on the number of firearms that individuals can own.
One of the key changes involves the state’s written authority provisions, known as property letters, which allow landowners to obtain legal firearms for vermin control. However, the system has been abused, with landowners selling their authorities to other individuals, making it difficult for new landholders to prevent uninvited guests from discharging firearms on their property. The government aims to address these loopholes and give control back to landowners.
In addition, the new laws will introduce numerical limits on weapon ownership and link them to specific license types tailored to different owners’ requirements. Furthermore, the legislation includes provisions to remove firearms from those involved in violent and recidivist offenses, as well as perpetrators of family harm and domestic violence.
WA Premier Roger Cook emphasized the significance of these changes, stating, “The changes will see WA introduce the most robust management of firearms in the country.” Police Minister Paul Papalia added that the stricter regulations will make it harder for individuals to obtain a firearms license and restrict where firearms can be stored and used. The government plans to establish WA as the first state in Australia to place limits on the number of firearms an individual can own.
As part of the buyback program, licensed handgun owners will be compensated up to $1,000 for surrendering their weapons, and individuals have until September 2024 to participate. The buyback aims to remove tens of thousands of unnecessary firearms from the community, demonstrating the government’s commitment to reducing the number of firearms in circulation and enhancing public safety.