{"id":2068737,"date":"2023-10-16T11:46:04","date_gmt":"2023-10-16T15:46:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/western-australia-to-cap-individual-gun-ownership\/"},"modified":"2023-10-16T11:49:21","modified_gmt":"2023-10-16T15:49:21","slug":"western-australia-to-cap-individual-gun-ownership","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/western-australia-to-cap-individual-gun-ownership\/","title":{"rendered":"WA to restrict personal gun ownership"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">12<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fwestern-australia-to-cap-individual-gun-ownership%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2068737&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><blockquote>\n<div data-post-content=\"true\" class=\"post_content\" id=\"post_content\">\n<p>The Western \u200dAustralian Labor Government is planning to impose\u2062 restrictions\u200b on the number of guns that licensed firearm holders can \u200cown.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-5\">Led by Premier Roger Cook, the Labor government\u2064 aims to implement the &#8220;toughest firearms laws&#8221; in Australia, with the goal of prioritizing &#8220;community safety&#8221; as the rationale for \u2062 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wa.gov.au\/government\/media-statements\/Cook-Labor-Government\/Historic-reform-to-deliver-toughest-firearms-laws-in-the-nation-20231016\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">limiting the number of\u200c guns<\/a> \u2062 individuals can possess.<\/div>\n<p>According to \u2064the \u200bproposed legislation, firearm club and competition members would be limited to 10\u200b guns, while recreational shooters would be \u200dallowed five. Primary \u2063producers (farmers) \u200cwould also face a limit\u2062 of 10 firearms.<\/p>\n<div class=\"shortcode\"><!--$--><\/p>\n<div class=\"border-comp-divider mb-4 mr-4 w-full max-w-[500px] border px-5 py-4 text-[16px] leading-[20px] text-[#262626] md:float-left\" id=\"in_article_related_stories\">\n<h2 class=\"mb-3 font-sans text-[16px] font-semibold uppercase leading-[19px] text-[#2F2F2F]\">Related Stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"mb-4 flex gap-2\">\n<div class=\"grow\">\n<div class=\"mb-1 line-clamp-2\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/world\/western-australia-revamping-firearm-regulations-to-address-domestic-violence-5490613?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><\/p>\n<h3>Western Australia Revamping Gun Laws to Address\u200c Domestic \u200cViolence<\/h3>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"text-comp-caption text-[14px] leading-[18px]\">9\/13\/2023<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"shrink-0 basis-[120px]\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/world\/western-australia-revamping-firearm-regulations-to-address-domestic-violence-5490613?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mb-4 flex gap-2\">\n<div class=\"grow\">\n<div class=\"mb-1 line-clamp-2\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/world\/western-australia-takes-aim-at-gun-ownership-laws-4358776?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><\/p>\n<h3>Western Australia Takes Aim at Gun Ownership Laws<\/h3>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"text-comp-caption text-[14px] leading-[18px]\">3\/24\/2022<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"shrink-0 basis-[120px]\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/world\/western-australia-takes-aim-at-gun-ownership-laws-4358776?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><!--\/$--><\/div>\n<div class=\"my-5\">Currently,\u2064 individuals in \u2063Western Australia (WA) must \u200capply\u2064 for\u2062 a license\u200c and demonstrate a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.police.wa.gov.au\/About-Us\/Our-Agency\/Police-Licensing-Services\/Firearms-Licensing\/Firearms-Licence\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">genuine \u200creason<\/a> \u2064 and need for owning a firearm.<\/div>\n<p>The new legislation will\u2063 be introduced to Parliament early next year following\u2063 public\u200c consultation. With \u2062a strong \u2064majority in both the Upper House (21 out of 36 seats) and Lower House \u2063(53 out of 59 seats), \u200dthe Labor \u2063state government aims to implement the most \u200dsignificant overhaul of\u200c firearm\u200b laws in the state&#8217;s history.<\/p>\n<p>Premier Cook asserts that these reforms will enhance \u2064public safety in WA \u200dand modernize the recording, \u2062monitoring, and\u200c enforcement\u200b of firearm laws \u200dby the police.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;WA\u200d is the \u200dlast jurisdiction to \u200dupdate its firearm legislation since the \u2062Port Arthur \u200dmassacre,&#8221; stated Mr. Cook.<\/p>\n<div class=\"post-figure\">\n<figure style=\"width:600px\" class=\"alignnone\"><figcaption>West Australian Premier \u200dRoger Cook speaks \u2062to media at\u200c Dumas House in\u200c Perth, Australia on Jun. 29. (Matt\u200d Jelonek\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;Unfortunately, there have been several\u200c high-profile gun incidents in recent years.\u200d These unlawful uses \u2064of firearms underscore the necessity of this crucial reform.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The reforms strike a balance between responsible\u2062 gun\u200b ownership and enhanced public safety.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-5\">The government has conducted extensive consultations, including 100 meetings\u2062 with stakeholders and individuals, to develop these changes. <\/p>\n<h2>What \u200cAre the Changes?<\/h2>\n<p> Eight new license types have been introduced for primary producers, individuals,\u2062 trades, businesses, \u2064clubs, ranges,\u200c collectors, and the \u200bgovernment.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>To facilitate\u2063 this transition, the government will fund a voluntary firearm buyback scheme early next year \u200bto minimize the financial \u2064impact on current license \u2063holders.<\/p>\n<p>The \u2062new licenses\u2063 will be digital, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/in-1982-one-georgia-town-required-everyone-to-own-a-gun-heres-what-happened\/\" title=\"In 1982, One Georgia Town Required Everyone To Own A Gun. Here\u2019s What Happened\">requiring gun owners<\/a> to apply through an online portal\u200b with an upgraded IT\u200b system.<\/p>\n<p>Competitive shooters planning to represent WA \u2062at national or international \u2064levels will \u200dneed to seek approval from the\u200c regulator for additional firearms.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-5\">The WA Firearms Community Alliance \u200cexpressed\u200b their interest in examining the\u200d draft proposal\u200c and providing feedback, although they were not initially provided a copy of the document.\u2064 <\/p>\n<div class=\"x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a\">\n<div dir=\"auto\">&#8220;We will also advise you on what\u200c you\u2064 can do as a concerned firearms owner regarding the\u200c unprovoked and \u2062unwarranted attack\u2063 on your cultural, recreational, and professional\u200c pastime,&#8221; stated the Alliance <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/wafirearmscommunityalliance?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZX5mOpS7EL9EsCisIURuVRaIi1SL0DszFUxrn9-dBFiC26MKj46FiztI9zlC0OslSefkJRPzxHBmqY-TfvZgdhe9rxDCx6hvqt-1la3-LmXfFvwi2bH39On_EBIsrZZLAV01_JATUyEWMsFm1axk7TcP4trQfE5BEsItgOyyYaUZDjBuhu2bDlEAZCkGUYRB90&#038;__tn__=-UC%2CP-R\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">on Facebook.<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>    Shooters Union Australia <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ShootersUnionAustralia?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZWfosoMESI_j4m06edOL-X-IPEog9BAVE4qLTHp58UccmgV7MJPIM4XevBQsNmR19Vv6wLO7_53oTgdbSIUt4WHE5YSJQ6wPkoXx_4bwiZTDr_JjBVvomvc1mVWjLs9zBGkb5X2zR3icMtVkDRxkBqWlfdiX7nBh2L11RT9vfx8XhlLPd2q-upX_lRlOjOWZUc&#038;__tn__=-UC%2CP-R\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">highlighted<\/a> that evidence suggests gun control \u200bhas minimal impact on crime rates.<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s evident \u200cthat the WA government is extremely fearful of guns\u2014so the\u200c question is, why? What are they planning that has them so afraid\u200c people might\u200b use guns to oppose it?&#8221; they wrote\u2064 on Facebook.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;WA \u2064is a vast, \u2064sparsely populated state\u2014despite its area of\u2063 approximately 2.6 \u200cmillion square kilometers, 80 percent\u200d of the population resides\u200b in the greater Perth region, and the majority of the remaining\u200b population is\u200b in the southeast corner. One would assume that a state with\u200b such vast empty land&#8230; would be \u200da paradise for hunters and sport shooters.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Every licensed gun \u2062owner in Australia has undergone a police\u2064 background check and has been\u2064 deemed \u200bone of the\u200c most law-abiding, \u200dresponsible individuals\u200b in their \u200dstate.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><!--$--><\/p>\n<div class=\"mb-4\">\n<div class=\"lazyload-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"lazyload-placeholder\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><!--\/$--><\/p>\n<p>However, Police Minister Paul Papalia cited \u2063&#8221;public safety&#8221; as the motivation behind the new legislation.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;If there \u2063are fewer firearms in the community, there will be \u200dfewer opportunities \u2063for\u2064 illegal use,&#8221; stated Mr. Papalia.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;In addition to the proposed legislative changes, we have already confiscated firearms from\u2063 notorious criminals and\u2064 individuals\u2064 involved in serious domestic\u2063 violence, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/western-australia-to-cap-individual-gun-ownership\/\" title=\"WA to restrict personal gun ownership\">removing \u2063280 excessively\u2064 high-powered guns<\/a> from the community.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Regarding the \u200cnumber of firearms, \u200cMr. Papalia mentioned that firearm numbers in WA have risen by \u206465\u200b percent\u200b since 2009, surpassing 360,000.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The new firearm limits will only affect around five percent of individual license holders, but they will\u200c result \u2064in\u2064 the removal of over 10,000 firearms from\u2064 the community,&#8221; added Mr. Papalia.<\/p>\n<p>The government reported that, on \u2062average, one gun\u2064 has been stolen\u2063 in WA every day over the\u2062 past five years.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Implementing stricter storage \u2062controls will significantly reduce the likelihood of theft,&#8221; claimed the government.<\/p>\n<p>The\u2064 Firearms \u2064Bill Consultation Paper will be released \u2062for public \u200dreview and feedback on October 17. \u2062The public will have until November 14 to provide their input through the WA Police website.<\/p>\n<div class=\"post-figure\">\n<figure style=\"width:600px\" class=\"alignnone\"><figcaption>WA Police inspect cars at a Border Check Point on Indian Ocean Drive north of Perth, Australia on Jun. 29, 2021. (Matt Jelonek\/Getty \u2064Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"my-5\">\n<h2>How Do You Buy A Gun in WA?<\/h2>\n<p>  All firearms must be registered, and individuals must possess a license. A license will not be granted if it is deemed &#8220;not desirable in the\u200d interests\u200d of public safety&#8221; or if \u2064the \u2062&#8221;person is not a fit and proper person to\u2063 hold the approval,\u200d permit, or license.&#8221;<\/p><\/div>\n<p>First-time applicants must complete a Firearms Awareness test with \u2062an approved firearm dealer\u200d or club. Additionally, they must\u2062 demonstrate a genuine reason and need for owning a \u2062firearm and provide supporting evidence.<\/p>\n<p>A new license cannot \u2064be issued until a\u200c 28-day cooling-off period has \u200dpassed \u200dsince the application date.<\/p>\n<p>Firearms must\u200b be \u2062securely stored and comply with Schedule Four \u2064of\u2064 the Firearm Regulations 1974.<\/p>\n<p>Many types of \u200dfirearms are restricted\u2064 or prohibited and can only be possessed under specific conditions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2> What limitations \u200cwill be placed on firearm club \u200cand competition members, recreational shooters,\u200c and farmers under the\u2064 new laws?<\/h2>\n<p><span>  Aks during a press \u200dconference regarding the new firearms laws. (AAP Image\/Rebecca Le May)<\/figcaption><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"kv float razonate lazyload\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/image.cnbcfm.com\/api\/v1\/image\/106127081-1663143868232-australiau\ufeffs\ufeff-guns.jpg\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>The proposed reforms come\u2063 in\u2063 the wake of a series of deadly mass shootings around the world, including the\u200d recent incident \u200bin Tasmania where 35 people were\u2064 killed in the Port Arthur massacre.\u200c Following\u2063 the \u200ctragedy, the Australian Federal Government \u2063implemented\u200c strict firearm laws, including\u200d a ban on semi-automatic and automatic weapons, as well as a mandatory buyback \u2064program\u2063 for prohibited firearms.<\/p>\n<p>Since then, most \u200bstates\u200b and territories in\u200b Australia have implemented their \u200bown \u2064firearm regulations to further enhance public safety. However, \u2063Western Australia has fallen behind in \u2063updating its legislation, which \u200chas \u2062prompted \u200cthe Labor Government to\u200d take action \u200cand introduce\u2064 these new reforms.<\/p>\n<p>Under the new laws,\u2062 firearm club \u2064and\u2063 competition members will be limited \u2063to owning up to 10 guns, while recreational shooters will be allowed\u200b to possess up to five firearms. \u2062Farmers,\u2062 who require\u2063 firearms for\u2063 pest control and other agricultural \u200cpurposes,\u2064 will also face a limit of 10 firearms.<\/p>\n<p>The introduction of these limits aims \u200bto prevent the \u2063stockpiling \u200bof firearms and\u200d ensure that individuals \u200conly possess firearms that\u2063 are necessary for their intended use. \u2063This move is in line with the Labor Government&#8217;s commitment to prioritize community safety and minimize the risk of \u2063firearms falling into\u2063 the wrong hands.<\/p>\n<p>Individuals in\u2064 Western Australia are\u200d already required to apply for a firearms license and demonstrate a genuine\u2063 reason and need \u2064for owning a firearm. The new legislation aims \u2063to build \u2064on this existing \u2062framework\u200b by introducing stricter limitations on\u200d the number of guns \u2062individuals can own.<\/p>\n<p>Premier\u200c Roger Cook has emphasized that\u200c the \u200bgoal of these reforms is to enhance public \u200dsafety in Western \u200dAustralia. The Labor Government aims to modernize the recording, monitoring, and enforcement of \u200bfirearm laws, allowing the police to effectively track and regulate firearms in \u2063the state.<\/p>\n<p>It is worth noting that\u2063 the new reforms \u200bwill be subject to public consultation \u200cbefore being introduced to Parliament next year. This ensures that the views and concerns of\u2064 the community are taken into\u200c account in shaping the final legislation.<\/p>\n<p>By implementing the \u2062&#8221;toughest firearms laws&#8221; in Australia, Western Australia aims to lead\u2063 the way\u2063 in\u200b ensuring \u200dcommunity safety and preventing gun-related incidents. The Labor Government&#8217;s commitment to prioritizing public safety is commendable,\u200c and \u2064it is\u200b hoped that these reforms will serve as \u200dan example \u2062for other jurisdictions in \u200bthe country.<\/p>\n<p>As Premier \u2062Cook stated, &#8220;WA is the last jurisdiction to\u2064 update its firearm \u200dlegislation\u200b since the Port Arthur massacre.&#8221; \u200dBy introducing these new reforms, Western Australia is taking important steps towards \u200cpreventing gun violence and \u200cprotecting its citizens.<\/p>\n<p>The Labor Government&#8217;s proposals mark a significant milestone in the state&#8217;s\u200b history, and with their substantial majority in both\u2062 the Upper House\u200c and Lower House of \u2064Parliament,\u200c they are well-positioned to \u200cimplement these changes.<\/p>\n<p>It is crucial for the community to engage in \u2063the public\u2063 consultation process and voice their\u200d opinions\u200d on these reforms. Through \u200ca collaborative and transparent approach, Western\u2064 Australia can create\u2064 a safer and more secure environment for its residents.<\/p>\n<p>By\u2064 updating its firearm \u200dlaws and introducing stricter limitations on gun ownership, Western Australia is demonstrating\u200d its\u200b commitment\u2062 to upholding public safety and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrat-congressman-calls-republicans-cowards-in-hallway-outburst-on-gun-control\/\" title=\"Democrat Congressman Calls Republicans \u2018Cowards\u2019 in Hallway Outburst on Gun Control\">preventing future tragedies<\/a>\u2063 from \u2064occurring. \u2062The proposed reforms \u2064will undoubtedly have a profound\u2062 impact on the firearms landscape in the\u200d state \u2064and contribute\u200d to the\u200b overall safety and well-being of its residents.<\/p>\n<p>It is now up to the community \u2062and the lawmakers to work together to ensure that these reforms \u2062are implemented effectively, striking the right balance\u2064 between individual liberties \u2064and collective security.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>be limited to owning a maximum number of guns. The Western Australian Labor Government, led by Premier Roger Cook, aims to implement the strictest firearms regulations in Australia. This initiative is driven by the goal of enhancing community safety. The proposed legislation would impose restrictions on the number of firearms that licensed firearm holders, including club and competition members, can possess.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2444,"featured_media":2068738,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[543],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2068737","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-epoch-times"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2068737","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2444"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2068737"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2068737\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2068738"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2068737"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2068737"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2068737"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}