17/03/2024
Copied and reposted. The millions wasted on this could save more lives some where else health for a start.
Changes to firearm legislation Western Australia.
During the year 2022 in Western Australia there were:
- 178 Road fatalities - 38 of which were speed related and another 38 alcohol related
- Alcohol caused 416 deaths, 180 family violence assaults, 9544 emergency department presentations, and 5900 ambulance call outs.
- almost 400 stabbings according to St. John statistics.
- over 800 deaths relating to covid.
- 95 homicides
- approximately 20 firearm related deaths (including su***de and illegal firearm use)
Why should you care? Because despite what the government says, the legislative changes will have little to no effect on public safety. Why? Because illegal fi****ms will still exist, and violent offenders will still offend and the proposed legislation does not address this whatsoever.
If the government was truely concerned about public safety then:
- All vehicles would have electronic speed restrictions.
- All vehicles would have mandatory alcohol ignition locks.
- Knife crime would be taken into consideration and be part of this conversation.
- Alcohol sale and consumption would be severely limited.
The West Australian government is trying to create a solution to a problem that does not exist. The proposed changes to firearm legislation is being driven by a single minded minister with a personal agenda and a government bent on staying in power. All of this neatly wrapped under the guise of community safety.
Firearm ownership is not a right in Western Australia, and I do not view it as such. Anyone who has a fi****ms license in WA has been found to satisfy all requirements by law necessary to own a firearm. In short, firearm owners in WA are law abiding citizens. They have to be.
Studies by Latrobe University do not advocate for stricter gun control, while the Medical Journal of Australia says “Strategies focused on people at particular risk of self‐harm and assault with fi****ms could reduce the associated injury and death rates in Australia.” ie. better mental health initiatives and a focus on illegal fi****ms and gang crime. Additionally a Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Reference Committee report from 2021 made many recommendations relating to the ability of law enforcement to eliminate gun related violence in the community. Within this report, there was no recommendation to impose greater restrictions on licensed users.
It is my understanding that the government has yet to provide any statistics relating to crime committed by illegal fi****ms versus fi****ms owned under license. This is significant because cannot be demonstrated that any significant number firearm offences are committed by licensee’s or legal fi****ms. This would suggest most offences relating to fi****ms are done so by illegal fi****ms possessed by criminals.
On the surface, tougher ‘gun control’ sounds like a good initiative. The reality is firearm ownership and operation is way outside most peoples experience and educational understanding. By creating a fear campaign and thrusting it front and centre into the media, the proposed changes have become extraordinarily difficult for the opposition and minor parties to vote against. Clever politics.
For knife crime not to be part of this debate is ludicrous. Knife crime in Australia far outweighs firearm incidents in both violent and non violent crime.
Look at the problems faced by the community in this state. Homelessness, a high cost of living, a clogged hospital and ambulance system, poor educational outcomes in many remote areas and mental health issues to name a few.
The reality is that tough social problems are being left behind, and given the government is in financial surplus this is inexcusable.
If the government was to address these issues successfully we would undoubtedly have lower crime and improved social outcomes for all. The result; better community safety.
Instead of tackling these tough problems, the government is targeting law abiding firearm owners for no other reason than easy voter appeal and personal legacy. This is distraction politics at its finest. By focusing on the emotive topic of firearm ownership, the government has deliberately distracted the community on social topics of great importance.
Let me ask you this question; do you ever walk down the street and worry about fi****ms in the community? My guess is no, probably never. Not until the fear mongering started in the media at least.
I have no doubt most people have more safety concerns about their fellow road users, than legally owned firearm in the community.
One of the main points picked up by the media is the introduction of a cap on the number of fi****ms an individual can hold. Focusing on this point has been a massive distraction. The tabled legislation goes much further and will hinder many aspects of what is currently lawful and practical firearm usage in Western Australia on private property.
Like it or not, fi****ms have a role to play in our society. Be it sporting or in agriculture. And to be clear, sporting pursuits happen on agricultural land.
When the legislation goes through, it will be near on impossible to use a firearm with any practicality and as national level competitor, it will be next to impossible to train on private property.
The government is rushing through important changes on firearm ownership, not based on data, but opinion.
Here are some facts:
- If you address the chronic social issues then all crime, not just firearm crime, will be decreased.
- Western Australia currently has the toughest firearm laws in the country.
- The government has deliberately mislead the community about the number of fi****ms owned.
- Knife crime far outweighs firearm crime.
- Criminals are NOT the target of this campaign.
I believe that the legislation relating to the reform of fi****ms in Western Australia needs to be amended to address the real concerns of both the public and licensed
shooters.
This will ensure that:
- licensed users will remains a asset to pastoralists in their efforts to combat feral animals via continued access to properties where permission has been provided.
- Feral pests can be effectively targeted with the appropriate fi****ms and calibres.
- Firearm sporting clubs will remain a positive environment and can continue as a place of
enjoyment for families, friends and like minded people.
- Licensed and compliant firearm owners will not be unduly discriminated against due to
the majority of firearm related incidents being unlicensed criminal activities.
- Criminals be penalised instead of licensed firearm owners.
- Growth in highly technical and competitive ballistic sports can continue.
Western Australian Fi****ms Community Alliance - WAFCA Sporting Shooters Association Of Australia WA Inc.
