New Gun Laws Bolster Support for Licensed Owners
Western Australia’s nation-leading firearm laws will be further supported by a suite of new measures aimed at supporting licensed gunowners transition to new arrangements under the reformed Firearms Act.
The new laws – which passed the Parliament of Western Australia in June last year, and came into effect yesterday – are among the toughest in Australia, with newly enacted Mandatory Disqualifying Offences and Orders (MDOs) removing guns from serious offenders, such as family and domestic violence perpetrators.
Following the start of the new laws, the State Government will now implement a raft of changes to support licensed firearm owners. This includes financially supporting owners of Rapid Release Action firearms, who are no longer allowed to own these firearms and have handed them into police before 14 April 2025.
Rapid Release Action or push-button firearms are designed to circumvent WA’s restrictions on semi-automatic weapons and under the new regulations they will be prohibited.
In addition, a new buyback period will apply for other firearms returned to WA Police for a nine-month period running from 14 April 2025 through to 14 January 2026.
Last year, 52,000 guns were surrendered in the most successful buyback in WA’s history.
The latest buyback will provide gunowners who did not participate in earlier schemes another opportunity to receive financial support for their surrendered firearms.
The Cook Labor Government has taken serious action to address gun-related violence by doubling the penalties for gun crime, outlawing very high-powered firearms, and introducing Firearm Prohibition Orders to target underworld figures.
That action has been further supported by reforms to the Firearms Act, and the surrender of tens of thousands of firearms removed from Perth’s suburbs through a voluntary buyback scheme.
To assist with the transition, WA Police will contact every firearm owner across WA to assist on the next steps, with the State Government to continue working with licensed gunowners in the months ahead.
A dedicated call centre on 1300 894 474 has been established to assist with any questions in the meantime, with further information available at: https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/western-australia-police-force/licensing-services-firearms .
As stated by Police Minister Reece Whitby:
“We want WA to be the safest place in the world to live.
“These additional initiatives build on our nation-leading firearm reforms that are designed to make all Western Australians safer and reduce the incidence of firearm related tragedies in our community.
“The State Government and WA Police will continue to work with gunowners to ensure a successful transition under the new laws.
“I know the vast majority of gunowners are law-abiding citizens who do the right thing and comply with the law.
“These reforms are what’s right for WA, and we must always put community safety first.
“They follow high-profile violent crimes in recent years involving licensed firearms, including the appalling double murder in Floreat – a crime that shocked the State.
“While these changes are significant, I want to assure gunowners that existing firearm licences will remain valid until renewal, and WA Police will contact every firearm owner in WA individually to help with the transition.
“Gunowners can be assured that police will be proactive in contacting them to assist them with any changes that may apply to their circumstances through this transition.”
https://www.wa.gov.au/government/media-statements/Cook Labor Government/Additional-support-for-licensed-firearm-owners-under-new-gun-laws-20250401