More than 9000 regional firearms given in as part of State Government gun buyback scheme

Nearly 9200 regional firearms have been handed in to the State Government as part of its gun buyback scheme ahead of the roll out of its harsh new gun laws. A total of 19,430 guns have been handed in with 12,753 of those being rifles, 4825 being shotguns and 1852 being handguns. Nearly half of the guns — a whopping 9197 — were given up from people in the regions. Giving up their guns were 11,133 people, meaning an average of 1.75 guns were handed in per person. The ratio is slightly higher in the regions with 5122 people taking part at an average of 1.8 guns per person. The $64.3 million scheme has operated for five months and means licensed gun owners can receive up to $1000 for handing in their guns as part of the six-month program. Police Minister Paul Papalia said fewer guns in the community meant less violent crime and he encouraged South West gun owners to consider the buyback before the rules changed. “Having fewer firearms in the community means there are fewer opportunities for the deadly weapons to be used to commit crimes,” he said. “Gun owners now have less than a month left to take part in the buyback. “Primary producers and firearms club members are accommodated for under the new laws. “New laws make it illegal to sell property letters and landowners will be limited in the number of written authorities they can provide, depending on the size of their land and prominence of vermin. “If you live in the South West and your only justification for owning a gun is a property letter you bought, or you don’t personally know the landowner who supplied the letter, you should consider taking part in the buyback.” The scheme comes as WA’s tough new gun laws are set to take effect in March, restricting the number of firearms owned by primary producers and competition shooters to 10 while recreational hunters can have up to five. Guns will also be taken off serious offenders such as family and domestic violence perpetrators. Other changes in the laws will mean storage requirements and regular health assessments for firearm owners will be tightened, as well as changes to the property letter rules. The buyback scheme ends on August 31.