❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses ambiguity in the WA Police Force's policy regarding firearm transportation by commercial carriers, specifically concerning the definition of 'locked container'. The response clarifies the policy's intent for flexibility and provides avenues for clarification.
AnsweredQoN 540Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
POLICE —
FIREARMS TRANSPORT — APPROVED COMMERCIAL CARRIERS POLICY
540. Hon AARON STONEHOUSE to the minister representing the
Minister for Police:
I refer the minister to the WA
Police Force's approved commercial carriers policy, an updated copy of
which the minister has yet to table in response to my request of 26 June, and
specifically to a line in that policy that I am assured reads, ''When
firearms are transported they must be 'rendered safe' and be
concealed or covered. Rendered safe includes (a) a locked container, or (b) an
approved box or container where the firearms are secured with a trigger locking
device or has the bolt removed and the bolt is posted separately from the
firearm.'' I have been advised by stakeholders within the transportation
industry that this is causing a degree of confusion.
(1) Where, if anywhere, within the
policy is ''locked container'' defined?
(2) Is a tautliner or curtain-sided
vehicle considered to be a locked container?
(3) Is the boot of a vehicle considered
to be a locked container?
(4) Is a gun in its own locked case
considered to be in a locked container?
(5) If, as I have
been advised, there is no formal definition of a ''locked container''
within the policy, to what other document, regulation or piece of legislation
can transporters refer for clarification?
FIREARMS TRANSPORT — APPROVED COMMERCIAL CARRIERS POLICY
540. Hon AARON STONEHOUSE to the minister representing the
Minister for Police:
I refer the minister to the WA
Police Force's approved commercial carriers policy, an updated copy of
which the minister has yet to table in response to my request of 26 June, and
specifically to a line in that policy that I am assured reads, ''When
firearms are transported they must be 'rendered safe' and be
concealed or covered. Rendered safe includes (a) a locked container, or (b) an
approved box or container where the firearms are secured with a trigger locking
device or has the bolt removed and the bolt is posted separately from the
firearm.'' I have been advised by stakeholders within the transportation
industry that this is causing a degree of confusion.
(1) Where, if anywhere, within the
policy is ''locked container'' defined?
(2) Is a tautliner or curtain-sided
vehicle considered to be a locked container?
(3) Is the boot of a vehicle considered
to be a locked container?
(4) Is a gun in its own locked case
considered to be in a locked container?
(5) If, as I have
been advised, there is no formal definition of a ''locked container''
within the policy, to what other document, regulation or piece of legislation
can transporters refer for clarification?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of this question. The following information has been provided to me
by the Minister for Police.
(1)–(2) The
Western Australia Police Force advises that the term ''locked container''
is not defined to allow for interpretation of individual circumstances—that
is, providing flexibility—which is in line with what industry
representatives have requested.
(3) Yes, if the
boot can be locked and cannot be opened without a key or other release device
from inside the vehicle. Individual circumstances will be discussed on a case-by-case
basis to enable flexibility and encourage more participants.
(4) Yes. However,
the container must not be marked in a way that it contains a firearm.
Individual circumstances will be discussed on a case-by-case basis to enable
flexibility and encourage more participants.
(5) Transporters
can contact firearm licensing, which will assess whatever container they wish
to use. This allows flexibility and does not limit the transport company to a specific
type of container that may not be suitable for their vehicles or work
practices.
some notice of this question. The following information has been provided to me
by the Minister for Police.
(1)–(2) The
Western Australia Police Force advises that the term ''locked container''
is not defined to allow for interpretation of individual circumstances—that
is, providing flexibility—which is in line with what industry
representatives have requested.
(3) Yes, if the
boot can be locked and cannot be opened without a key or other release device
from inside the vehicle. Individual circumstances will be discussed on a case-by-case
basis to enable flexibility and encourage more participants.
(4) Yes. However,
the container must not be marked in a way that it contains a firearm.
Individual circumstances will be discussed on a case-by-case basis to enable
flexibility and encourage more participants.
(5) Transporters
can contact firearm licensing, which will assess whatever container they wish
to use. This allows flexibility and does not limit the transport company to a specific
type of container that may not be suitable for their vehicles or work
practices.
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