ANALYSIS: West Australia’s New Gun Bans May Have Little Impact on Crime Rates

Hunting rifles and shotguns at a gun store in Toronto, in a file photo. Kevin Frayer/The Canadian Press

Analysis

The Firearms Act 1973 has long been regarded as a cornerstone of firearms legislation, aimed at ensuring public safety and regulating the possession and use of firearms.

However, recent amendments to the Act, particularly those banning certain calibres, have sparked controversy due to concerns over the lack of community consultation.

Enacted in 1973, the Firearms Act was designed to establish a comprehensive framework for regulating firearms in order to maintain public safety.

It outlined provisions for licensing, registration, and possession of firearms, with the objective of striking a balance between lawful gun ownership and public security.

Over the past 50 years, the Act has undergone amendments to adapt to changing societal norms, technological advancements, and emerging threats, particularly those in the public setting.

Banning High-Calibre Weapons for ‘Community Safety’

One of the most contentious aspects of the recent amendments is banning certain calibres under the 2023 Firearms Amendment Regulation.

The Western Australian (WA) Labor government and police argue that these restrictions are necessary to prevent the misuse of high-powered firearms and reduce the potential for mass shootings and crime.

They contend that these calibres have no practical use in sports shooting or hunting and are primarily designed for military purposes.

“Our government is committed to ensuring our community and our police officers have the best possible protection from gun violence,” said Premier Mark McGowan, in a statement.

“The Western Australian Police Force has informed me there is no practical need for these specific very high-powered firearms in WA.

“While they remain in our community, these weapons are vulnerable to falling into the wrong hands, and the consequences could be devastating.”

The Impact of Gun Crime

According to the Australian Institute of Criminology, between July 2020 to June 30, 2021, firearms were used in several homicides but paled in comparison to crimes committed with knives, sharp instruments, and other weapons.

In fact, of the 210 reported weapon-related homicides (Australia-wide), 23 (or 10.952 percent) were firearm-related, with Western Australia seeing two homicides.

Further, historically, from 1989 to 2021, there were 1,492 firearm-related deaths, compared to 1,866 homicides attributed to the hands and feet.

Industry Concerned Lawful Gun Owners Will be Targeted

However, industry experts argue these bans are overly restrictive and unfairly target law-abiding firearm owners.

“The banning of high-performance calibres will do nothing to prevent firearms crime—these types of firearms are not traditionally sought after by criminals as they are overly large, cumbersome, use a higher grade of ammunition that is not easily obtained, and take a skillset to operate to their capacity—which the general crook doesn’t have,” said Bevan Steale, president of the West Australian Firearm Traders Association (WAFTA) and a former police sergeant.

“Organised crime will find a way to smuggle firearms much the same as drugs—which are also illegal,” he told The Epoch Times.

Another concern is outlawing more firearms will only target weapons owned by enthusiasts and collectors, potentially infringing on other rights.

While some question the effectiveness of calibre bans in reducing gun violence, arguing that criminals will simply adapt and seek alternative weapons.

Yet a critical concern around the amendments is the lack of community consultation.

The decision was made without seeking input from firearm owners, sporting associations, and other relevant stakeholders.

This absence of consultation has raised questions about the democratic process and the representation of diverse perspectives in policymaking, Steale said.

Further, developing effective firearm policies generally requires finding the middle ground between public safety and the rights of gun owners—failing to do so could encourage non-compliance or drive buyers and sellers into the black market.

According to the GunPolicy website, as of 2020, the number of licit and illicit privately owned firearms numbered 3,778,025, compared to the registered number of firearms at 3,518,025.

In Western Australia, 313,500 (licit and illicitly-owned) firearms were in the state, as of 2016 (pdf), representing 1.07 firearms per 100 people in the state.

Steale says that while the West Australian government’s concern may be well founded regarding certain calibres posing a higher risk, an outright ban may not be the most effective solution.

Alternatively, he suggests stricter licensing procedures, enhanced background checks, and increased mental health evaluations could provide a more nuanced approach to mitigating risks associated with firearms, especially when analysing the actual statistics around crime.