❓ A WA parliamentary question seeks clarification on firearm range regulations under the new Firearms Act 2024, including construction standards, safety templates, and application outcomes. The response provides information on the application process and transitional arrangements.
AnsweredQoN 217Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the regulation of firearm ranges under the Firearms Act 2024 , and I ask: (a) what are the standards of construction which are generally considered necessary for the safe operation of a licensed firearm range; (b) in particular, what safety template is required for a firearm range under the Firearms Act 2024 ; (c) does the safety template in (b) differ to what was required under the previous Firearms Act 1973 ; (d) if yes to (c), by how much; (e) since 31 March 2025, how many applications for the approval of firearms range facilities have been: (i) approved; and (ii) refused; (f) in reference to (e), of those refused, what was the most common ground for refusal; (g) have any firearm ranges that were previously approved under the Firearms Act 1973 been unable to obtain approval for a new licence under the Firearms Act 2024 ; and (h) if yes to (g), how many?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
12 August 2025
Responded by
Minister for the Environment representing the Minister for Police
Response time
7 days
(a) The standards of construction referred to in Section 83(b) of the Firearms Act 2024 will be captured in the Firearms Range Manual. Any ranges seeking standards can liaise with the WAPF’s Clubs & Ranges Team while the Manual undergoes refinement prior to publishing.
(b) Safety templating is dependent on many factors, including range construction, firearm chambering, and the approved disciplines which are conducted on a range; each range will therefore have its own unique safety template.
(c-d) As mentioned in part (b) there is not a generic safety template that applies to all firearm ranges. Ranges seeking further advice should liaise with the WAPF’s Clubs & Ranges Team.
(e)
(i) 1.
(ii.) 0
(f) Not applicable.
(g-h) All ranges approved under the Firearms Act 1973 are currently operating under a transitional authority, unless their 1973 Act approval has been revoked. Three ranges have had their approval under the Firearms Act 1973 revoked: one has been approved for a Range License under the Firearms Act 2024 and has subsequently reopened, while the other two are currently engaged with the WAPF’s Clubs & Ranges Team and are progressing towards obtaining a Range License.
(b) Safety templating is dependent on many factors, including range construction, firearm chambering, and the approved disciplines which are conducted on a range; each range will therefore have its own unique safety template.
(c-d) As mentioned in part (b) there is not a generic safety template that applies to all firearm ranges. Ranges seeking further advice should liaise with the WAPF’s Clubs & Ranges Team.
(e)
(i) 1.
(ii.) 0
(f) Not applicable.
(g-h) All ranges approved under the Firearms Act 1973 are currently operating under a transitional authority, unless their 1973 Act approval has been revoked. Three ranges have had their approval under the Firearms Act 1973 revoked: one has been approved for a Range License under the Firearms Act 2024 and has subsequently reopened, while the other two are currently engaged with the WAPF’s Clubs & Ranges Team and are progressing towards obtaining a Range License.
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