Leader of the Nationals WA Shane Love MLA has accused the Cook Labor Government of once again demonstrating its disdain for firearms owners with the disingenuous release of the long-awaited Firearms Regulations during the dying days of 2024.
“This shameful tactic – sneakily timed leading into the Christmas Holiday period when scrutiny and engagement will be lowers – is a hallmark of this Government’s disrespectful treatment for WA’s 90,000 law-abiding firearms owners,” Mr Love said.
“It shows utter contempt for law-abiding firearms owners across Western Australia.” Mr Love said.
Mr Love highlighted these regulations had been in development for months, yet Minister Papalia repeatedly refused to provide transparency or engage with stakeholders before they were publicly released this week.
“Burying these regulations in the whirl of holiday busyness will not cut it. No firearm owner trusts this Labor Government after the outrageous release of a map containing the location of every legally registered firearm in the State, and the disrespectful treatment they have shown every step of the way,” Mr Love said.
“These regulations are not about enhancing community safety. They are an ideological attack on the Western Australian firearms community, painting them as pariahs while failing to address any real threats.”
The Nationals WA have committed to stop the clock on Labor’s Firearms Laws and deliver a practical rewrite of the Firearms Act following the 2025 State Election.
“These regulations don’t come into operation until 31 March 2025, after the State Election. The Nationals WA have pledged to disallow the regulations on the first day of Parliament after the election, stopping them from taking effect.”
Mr Love said The Nationals WA have pledged to stand united with law-abiding firearm owners.
“People are fed up with the Cook Labor Government, which vilifies and tramples on Western Australians who responsibly and ethically use firearms for farming, sport, recreation, and professional purposes,” Mr Love said.
“The Nationals WA are the only Party standing up for law-abiding firearms owners, and we are committed to delivering a common-sense, practical rewrite of the Firearms Act which ensures community safety without punitively punishing responsible firearms owners.
