Western Australia Revamping Gun Laws to Address Domestic Violence

Little evidence to suggest that tightening firearm legislation leads to a reduction in firearm-related crimes

Weapons that were handed in are seen at the Victoria Police Forensic Services Centre in Melbourne, Australia, on Aug. 11, 2017. Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

The Western Australian (WA) government is currently overhauling its firearm regulations, a move that could lead to the revocation of firearm licenses for individuals involved in domestic violence. Simultaneously, the government is planning to establish both a task force and a “lived experience advisory group” to combat the rising issue of family violence.

Premier Roger Cook clarified that the task force will provide guidance to the government, while the lived experience group will prioritise the voices of victims in the policymaking process, ensuring their perspectives are central to the discussion.

This initiative comes amid recent reforms aimed at tightening regulations on public firearm ownership.

Western Australian Gun Laws

WA government is embarking on a comprehensive reform of its firearm regulations, with a focus on reducing the prevalence of illegal firearms and enhancing community safety.

In line with the broader Australian context, Western Australia prohibits the use of firearms for self-defence. However, certain provisions allow for the possession of firearms in limited circumstances, such as recreational shooting or hunting on eligible private properties.

According to data from WA Police, the number of licensed firearm owners has remained relatively stable over the past 13 years, hovering around 89,000 individuals, accounting for approximately 4.3 percent of the state’s adult population.

During the same period, the number of licensed firearms has surged by 60 percent, reaching nearly 350,000, with an average of four firearms owned per license holder, which the state government argues underscores the need for a comprehensive review of the state’s gun laws to address these trends and enhance public safety.

Proposed Changes in WA’s Gun Legislation

The Firearms Act in Western Australia has been in place for nearly five decades, prompting the exploration of modern enhancements to bolster community safety.

Among the proposed revisions are stricter training requirements for prospective gun owners. Currently, the existing procedure for obtaining a gun license relies solely on a multiple-choice test as the criterion for granting permission to possess a firearm.

Additionally, the amendments involve the revocation of licenses for individuals convicted of violent offences, along with increased regulations concerning the security and storage of firearms.

In February 2023, the WA Labor government introduced a fresh prohibition on high-powered firearms designed for long-range shooting and capable of penetrating armour plating.

This prohibition rendered 56 firearm types and 19 ammunition calibres illegal, resulting in 248 licensed firearms being prohibited and required for disposal by July 1, 2023. The state allocated funds for a “buyback” initiative to acquire these firearms from lawful owners.

Concerns about Firearms Falling into Criminal Hands Unfounded

Despite potential costs to the community, there is no conclusive evidence to suggest that these actions will lead to a reduction in firearm-related crimes.

Paul Fitzgerald, president of the Sporting Shooters Association in Western Australia (SSA-WA), contends that there is no definitive evidence establishing a direct correlation between crime rates and the number of licensed firearm owners in Western Australia. Firearms, he notes, are the least common choice for criminal activities.

Former police officer Bob Schwartz from Victoria also highlights that firearms account for no more than three percent of all acts of violence in Australia. Blunt objects or physical altercations, such as clenched fists, are more prevalent means of attack.

National Firearm Registry

The move by the Western Australian government comes as the federal government is also looking at establishing a comprehensive national database for firearm ownership throughout Australia.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has indicated he would support this potential initiative.

Currently, firearms in Australia are registered on a state-by-state basis.

However, the tragic shooting of two police officers in the Wieambilla incident in Queensland in Dec. 2022 prompted political leaders to consider extending this system on a nationwide scale.