The Nationals have secured a small but important reprieve for firearms owners and dealers, with the implementation of controversial new regulations, originally due today, pushed back by three months.
Leader Shane Love said The Nationals have consistently and forcefully called for this delay to allow proper consultation and clear communication with those most affected.
“Labors Firearms Act is riddled with flaws: rushed processes, muddled messaging, and a clear disregard for regional communities.”
“The Government has failed to provide even the most basic clarity on how the new Act will function. Worse still, law-abiding firearms owners now face potential criminal penalties simply because they’ve been left confused by laws that are both poorly written and poorly communicated.”
Mr Love will be briefed by the Acting Police Commissioner this week on the implementation of the regulations.
Mr Love said The Nationals will also move a disallowance motion on the Firearms Act in the first days of the new Parliament, but says the harsh reality is that there simply aren’t the numbers to stop it.
“That said, firearms owners have my absolute commitment, The Nationals will continue the fight for fairer, more balanced firearms regulations.”
“I make a genuine and sincere appeal to the new Minister for Police, Reece Whitby, to adopt a more rational and considered approach to firearms reform. “Mr Love said.
“Minister Whitby has the opportunity to fix the failures of the former Minister and lead with a more rational and collaborative approach. I urge him to engage openly and constructively with firearms owners.”
Mr Love said genuine consultation with those directly affected is not only fair, but essential to achieving balanced and workable policy.
“The Nationals WA have always stood for community safety and responsible firearm regulation.”
“We were the first to call for a Law Reform Commission review into WA’s outdated Firearms Act. But Labor’s legislation ignores key recommendations from that very review. Instead of a modern, balanced approach, they’ve delivered punitive red tape that does little to enhance public safety.” Mr Love said.
“It’s everyday West Australians who are paying the price—farmers, pest controllers, sporting shooters, collectors, and small business owners—people who rely on firearms for legitimate work and recreation, and who have always complied with the law.”
The Nationals WA will continue to stand with those communities, and we will move to disallow these deeply flawed laws when Parliament returns.
