❓ Rick Mazza questions the WA Police's handling of firearm license applications lodged before gun shop closures, specifically regarding declined applications and partial refunds. The Minister's response defends the assessment process based on current legislation and emergency directives.
AnsweredQoN 346Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
CORONAVIRUS —
FIREARMS LICENSING
346. Hon RICK MAZZA to the minister representing the
Minister for Police:
I refer to firearms licence
applications that were lodged prior to the closure of gun shops state of
emergency directive. The Western Australia Police Force is now declining
applications that are not subject to exemptions under the closure of gun shops
directive and is only partially refunding the application fee.
(1) Why did
firearms licence applications need to be declined rather than the process
suspended until the state of emergency directive could be lifted and the
application process recommenced?
(2) Will the
minister consider waiving application fees for applicants resubmitting
applications that were declined under the state of emergency directive; and, if
not, why not?
FIREARMS LICENSING
346. Hon RICK MAZZA to the minister representing the
Minister for Police:
I refer to firearms licence
applications that were lodged prior to the closure of gun shops state of
emergency directive. The Western Australia Police Force is now declining
applications that are not subject to exemptions under the closure of gun shops
directive and is only partially refunding the application fee.
(1) Why did
firearms licence applications need to be declined rather than the process
suspended until the state of emergency directive could be lifted and the
application process recommenced?
(2) Will the
minister consider waiving application fees for applicants resubmitting
applications that were declined under the state of emergency directive; and, if
not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided to me by
the Minister for Police.
(1)–(2) The Western Australia Police Force advises that
firearms applications are being assessed in accordance with legislation
relating to a person's genuine need and genuine reason and the State
Emergency Coordinator's directive ''Closure of Gun Shops (No 2)''.
Applications that have been declined have been assessed by police as not
meeting the genuine need or genuine reason requirement. All applications are
assessed in accordance with the current circumstances, including the state of
emergency directions, and not on a future point in time. Applications that meet
the requirements of paragraph (4)(a) to (d) of the directive are being assessed
accordingly. Police have written to firearms dealers about the current
application process so that the dealers who are the first point of contact for
an applicant can advise applicants on the application process. If an application
is declined, the police component of a firearm application fee is fully
refunded. Australia Post fees associated with firearms applications are
retained by Australia Post.
some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided to me by
the Minister for Police.
(1)–(2) The Western Australia Police Force advises that
firearms applications are being assessed in accordance with legislation
relating to a person's genuine need and genuine reason and the State
Emergency Coordinator's directive ''Closure of Gun Shops (No 2)''.
Applications that have been declined have been assessed by police as not
meeting the genuine need or genuine reason requirement. All applications are
assessed in accordance with the current circumstances, including the state of
emergency directions, and not on a future point in time. Applications that meet
the requirements of paragraph (4)(a) to (d) of the directive are being assessed
accordingly. Police have written to firearms dealers about the current
application process so that the dealers who are the first point of contact for
an applicant can advise applicants on the application process. If an application
is declined, the police component of a firearm application fee is fully
refunded. Australia Post fees associated with firearms applications are
retained by Australia Post.
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