More than 5400 South West firearms handed back to police in State Government’s gun buyback scheme

More than 5400 firearms have been handed in to police in the South West as part of the State Government’s gun buyback scheme. A total of 5464 guns were returned in the region, the most of any area outside Perth. The region’s figure accounts for almost 15 per cent of the total 38,442 guns surrendered, with 3195 handguns, 9908 shotguns and 25,339 rifles handed back across the State. The number of gun licence holders has also dropped by more than 6000 during the scheme, now sitting at 82,065. More than half of the guns given up in the buyback have already been destroyed, including by explosives or being crushed. Premier Roger Cook said the scheme was making communities safer. “By their very design, guns were created to end life. Therefore, it is essential we limit access to them in the community and have strict processes in place to monitor and regulate their use,” he said. “More than 38,000 firearms have been removed from Western Australian suburbs, from Western Australian towns. “Fewer guns, coupled with more robust regulation and monitoring of firearm use, means a safer WA for all.” The buyback came as the State Government passed what it dubbed as the country’s toughest gun laws, limiting the number of guns individuals can own. The new laws will mean primary producers and competition shooters can own up to 10 guns while recreational hunters can have only five. Family and domestic violence offenders will be stripped of their licences, storage rules will become stricter and owners will join compulsory training and regular health checks as some of the new gun ownership conditions when the law comes into effect in March. Police Minister Paul Papalia thanked WA Police for its efforts in managing the buyback. “The response to the State Government-funded voluntary gun buyback has been overwhelmingly positive with more than 10 per cent of the total number of licensed guns in Western Australia surrendered for destruction,” he said. “The WA Police Force has already destroyed 21,000 guns with the remainder to follow in the coming weeks. “Our new Firearms Act will help improve safety for decades to come.”