❓ Hon Rick Mazza asks about the legality of storing firearms belonging to visiting shooters in a host's gun safe. The Attorney General confirms it's currently illegal and notes the Firearms Act is under review.
AnsweredQoN 1213Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
FIREARMS — STORAGE REQUIREMENTS
1213. Hon RICK MAZZA to the Attorney General representing the
Minister for Police:
I refer to circumstances in which competitive or recreational
shooters are the house guests of other licensed firearm owners for the purpose
of attending events away from their home.
(1) Is it permissible for the visitor to secure his or her
firearms in the host's gun safe; and, if not —
(a) why not; and
(b) where should the visitor's
firearms be stored?
(2) Are there any plans to alter the existing requirements?
1213. Hon RICK MAZZA to the Attorney General representing the
Minister for Police:
I refer to circumstances in which competitive or recreational
shooters are the house guests of other licensed firearm owners for the purpose
of attending events away from their home.
(1) Is it permissible for the visitor to secure his or her
firearms in the host's gun safe; and, if not —
(a) why not; and
(b) where should the visitor's
firearms be stored?
(2) Are there any plans to alter the existing requirements?
AnswerView source ↗
On behalf of the Minister for Police, I thank the honourable
member for some notice of the question, which, having heard the muttering from
those on the other side, I ought to point out was asked yesterday, giving the
minister the opportunity to sign off on the answer in advance, whereas she is
not able to do so today because she is occupied in managing a bill in the other
place and is not able to turn her attention to the questions in an appropriate
fashion to confirm that they have been answered. She thanks members for their
indulgence and for appreciating the fact that she is otherwise engaged. I get
back to Hon Rick Mazza's question because I digress.
The PRESIDENT : Hon Rick Mazza
is waiting anxiously for an answer.
Hon MICHAEL MISCHIN : The answer is —
(1) Currently, it is not permissible
for a visitor to secure his or her firearms in a host's gun cabinet, as
this would constitute offences under sections 19(1)(c) and 19(2)(c) of the
Firearms Act 1973. The licence holder must store or secure the firearm or
ammunition in a way so as to prevent an unauthorised person gaining or having
access to the firearms or ammunition. Section 23(9) of the Firearms Act 1973
refers to the responsibility of a licensee to ensure the safekeeping of a
firearm or ammunition while in actual physical possession or to have custody or
control otherwise than by way of storage.
(2) The Firearms Act 1973 and the
Firearms Regulations 1974 are currently being reviewed by the Law Reform
Commission of Western Australia, and all parts and requirements of the act and
regulations will be the subject of this review.
member for some notice of the question, which, having heard the muttering from
those on the other side, I ought to point out was asked yesterday, giving the
minister the opportunity to sign off on the answer in advance, whereas she is
not able to do so today because she is occupied in managing a bill in the other
place and is not able to turn her attention to the questions in an appropriate
fashion to confirm that they have been answered. She thanks members for their
indulgence and for appreciating the fact that she is otherwise engaged. I get
back to Hon Rick Mazza's question because I digress.
The PRESIDENT : Hon Rick Mazza
is waiting anxiously for an answer.
Hon MICHAEL MISCHIN : The answer is —
(1) Currently, it is not permissible
for a visitor to secure his or her firearms in a host's gun cabinet, as
this would constitute offences under sections 19(1)(c) and 19(2)(c) of the
Firearms Act 1973. The licence holder must store or secure the firearm or
ammunition in a way so as to prevent an unauthorised person gaining or having
access to the firearms or ammunition. Section 23(9) of the Firearms Act 1973
refers to the responsibility of a licensee to ensure the safekeeping of a
firearm or ammunition while in actual physical possession or to have custody or
control otherwise than by way of storage.
(2) The Firearms Act 1973 and the
Firearms Regulations 1974 are currently being reviewed by the Law Reform
Commission of Western Australia, and all parts and requirements of the act and
regulations will be the subject of this review.
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