Cook Government voluntary gun buyback success

• Almost 40,000 guns removed from WA's suburbs and towns as part of buyback
• Historic firearm reform enhances public safety, imposes strictest gun laws in Australia
• Western Australia first jurisdiction to limit the number of firearms a person can own
• New laws come into effect through phased approach from March 2025

Western Australian gun owners have embraced the Cook Government's $64.3 million voluntary firearm buyback program with 38,442 weapons handed back by more than 20,500 licence holders.

Over the duration of the six-month program, 3,195 handguns, 9,908 shotguns and 25,339 rifles were surrendered with over half of the firearms purchased from licence holders in the metropolitan area. A further 449 guns were sold interstate.

Since the buyback commenced, the total number of individuals who own a gun in Western Australia has reduced by more than 6,000 licences, from 88,132 in February 2024 to 82,065.

More than half of the near 40,000 guns have already been destroyed with the remaining weapons to be disposed of in the coming weeks.

Western Australia's new firearm laws are the most robust gun controls in the country. The rewritten Firearms Act elevates public safety to the key consideration above all else. It will be enforced through a phased approached from March 2025. 

The Cook Government's gun reform sees WA become the first Australian jurisdiction to impose a limit on the number of firearms an individual can own. Primary producers and competition shooters can license up to 10 guns while recreational hunters will be restricted to no more than five.

Additional public safety enhancements include the introduction of Mandatory Disqualifying Offences and Orders, an overhaul of the corrupt 'property letter' system, more onerous storage requirements as well as mandatory gun training for all licence applicants and regular health assessments for firearm owners.

Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:

"My Government has created the toughest gun laws in the nation and we are delivering on our commitment to enhance public safety by removing unnecessary guns from the community.

"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.

"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."

Comments attributed to Police Minister Paul Papalia:

"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.

"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.

"I'd like to thank the WA Police Force for its tireless efforts to ensure the buyback progressed seamlessly throughout the State."