- Proposed overhaul of Western Australia's corrupted firearm written authority (property letter) system will give power back to landowners and dramatically reduce firearm numbers
- Regular mandatory health assessments to provide an additional safeguard
- Compulsory firearms training introduced to licence application process
- Firearms Bill Consultation Paper released for public comment
Western Australia's new written authority provisions will improve public safety, reduce unnecessary firearm ownership, and give control back to landowners and leaseholders.
Under the current system, firearm ownership is often justified under the pretence of possessing a property letter.
Originally designed to assist landowners with vermin control, the system has been distorted and manipulated over time - leading to written authorisations being sold.
Authorisation often remains valid, even after an owner on-sells the property. This leaves some landholders powerless to stop strangers from entering and discharging firearms on their land.
The property letter system overhaul comes at the request of the Primary Producers Advisory Board.
By modernising the framework, thousands of unnecessary firearms could be removed from the State.
Compulsory training and health assessments are also included in the proposed new Firearms Act.
Similar to heavy haulage truck and recreational pilot licence requirements, the health assessment will include a physical and mental health component.
Assessments will be required by anyone applying for a firearms licence, and every five years thereafter until 80 years of age.
Licence holders over the age of 80 will be required to complete a health check annually.
Mandatory training will involve a theoretical and practical component. It will be carried out through approved trainers and will be accessible in multiple locations throughout WA.
In addition, the Cook Government has already announced the introduction of Mandatory Disqualifying Offences and Orders. This will see guns stripped from the hands of violent offenders such as family and domestic violence perpetrators.
A Firearms Bill Consultation Paper outlining the major changes has today been released for public review and comment.
Proposed changes are available via www.police.wa.gov.au/firearmsactreform
Feedback can be submitted via the WA Police website prior to Tuesday, November 14 2023.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"In its current form, the firearms property letter system has been exploited and corrupted.
"Over the decades, the number of property letters that have been distributed have been far more than what's required for vermin control.
"Some property owners abused the system for financial gain and then off-loaded the problem to an unsuspecting new landowner.
"The State Government's historic reform of WA's archaic firearm laws will stop people abusing the system and give power back to current property owners.
"Health checks will be required every five years and they will include a mental health component.
"This will provide an added safeguard to better protect the community.
"From today, the Firearms Bill Consultation Paper will be available for review and comment.
"I encourage anyone with feedback to submit it via the WA Police website."
As stated by Police Minister Paul Papalia:
"Too many Western Australians own a firearm under the pretence of the outdated written authority format.
"Primary producers asked us to rebuild the system, to give control back to landowners and leaseholders.
"It's not right that someone in a metropolitan suburb can buy a property letter authority online and use that as their only excuse to own a firearm.
"Reforming the written authority requirements will likely remove tens of thousands of guns from WA.
"Compulsory firearms handling training must be completed by all new licence applicants.
"Health assessments will also be required upon application, and every five years after that until 80 years of age where they must then be completed annually, similar to what is required for maintaining a driver's licence.
"Over the next four weeks, I invite anyone with comments on the proposed reform to submit them before November 14.
