The upcoming review of Western Australia’s deeply flawed new gun laws “is not just warranted, it’s essential,” the CEO of the Shooting Industry Foundation of Australia (SIFA), James Walsh, says.
“These laws have created chaos without delivering meaningful improvements to public safety,” he said.
WA’s parliament voted on Wednesday to have the Standing Committee of Legislation review the Firearms Act 2024 and its regulations, with even the Green and Animal Justice Party acknowledging deep flaws in the laws and their implementation.
SIFA says the rollout of the laws has been plagued by a broken digital system, unclear compliance requirements, and the widespread refusal of doctors to administer Firearm Authority Health Assessments (FAHAs).
“The Cook Government ignored clear warnings from SIFA, the AMA and RACGP, and now we’re seeing the consequences,” Mr Walsh said.
“These laws were overreaching, overly complex, and drafted without proper consultation or consideration. They have now collapsed under the weight of poor design and rushed implementation.”
Shooters Union WA state advocate Steve Harrison described the referral for review as a good start, but said shooters needed some protection and reassurances, especially allowing existing licences remain in force with no changes to conditions while the review was carried out.
“We can’t control the review, but we have some expectation it will provide some moderated and improved outcomes on the impact of the legislation,” he said.
“What I’d like to see is the implementation of a grandfather scheme, with a six-month moratorium on WAPOL’s firearms licensing activities, to give them time to sort their mess out.”
Mr Harrison said shooters would be unwise to think of the successful motion as a reprieve, since the legislation was still in effect, but the fact it was being investigated was a good thing – and proved the Government were wrong in their approach to its development, passage and implementation.
“We don’t want to get our hopes up, since the review process is going to take a long time, but after years of being ignored, abused, gaslit, and literally told to ‘get another hobby’, it’s good to see the government rolling over and finally admitting they got it demonstrably wrong,” he said.
The news has been welcomed by shooting advocates from across the state; Shooters Union WA state advocate Steve Harrison said the successful motion was a good start, and acknowledged both Mr Goiran for keeping his election promise on the issue and the work of countless shooters in WA in pushing for accountability.
“No one group or organisation can claim success for this — this has been a community effort by every shooter in WA, including the 32,000 who signed the petition that was binned,” he said.
SIFA acknowledged the more constructive approach shown by current Police Minister Reece Whitby, as well as the role of the Opposition, led by the Nationals, in referring the failed laws to committee.
“The review offers a chance to fix what is broken,” Mr Walsh said.
“SIFA is ready to contribute and work towards practical, evidence-based laws that support community safety and don’t punish the industry or responsible firearms owners.”
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