❓ A Western Australian parliamentary question seeks data on firearm licensing, including unlicensed firearms, total licensed firearms (current and historical), and application processing times. The response provides detailed figures and explanations.
AnsweredQoN 4358Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to firearm licensing, and ask: (a) how many firearms in Western Australia are currently
recorded on the system as unlicensed; (b) what is the total number of licensed firearms in
Western Australia; (c) what was the total number of licensed firearms in
Western Australia in each of the years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017; and (d) what is the current average time for processing firearm
applications?
recorded on the system as unlicensed; (b) what is the total number of licensed firearms in
Western Australia; (c) what was the total number of licensed firearms in
Western Australia in each of the years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017; and (d) what is the current average time for processing firearm
applications?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
13 February 2019
Responded by
Minister for Police; Road Safety
Response time
12 days
The Western Australian Police Force advised:
(a) There are 1 111 unlicensed firearms associated with 421 temporary permits within the Firearm Licensing System. These permits relate to visitors to WA or competition shooters from other jurisdictions who are licensed for those firearms in their own state/territory but not in WA. These firearms are technically unlicensed in WA however they are recorded through a permit system to allow the WA Police Force to know about their existence in WA. There are 10 526 unlicensed firearms associated with 4 961 ‘expired licences’ recorded within the Firearm Licensing System where a licence holder has not yet paid their renewal notice. Renewal is allowed within 12 month period under the Firearms Act 1973 . These firearms are known to police and the licence holder details are held within the Firearm Licensing system. It is not unusual to have a number of licences pending renewal. After three months, an infringement is issued against the licence holder. Should a licence be expired for more than 12 months, a licence cannot be renewed and firearms are seized.
(b) 329 743 as of 19 November 2018.
(c) As at 31 December: for 2013, 275 424; 2014, 290 999; 2015, 306 300; 2016, 318 577; and 2017, 325 653.
(d) The processing time for an application is dependent on the individual application.
(a) There are 1 111 unlicensed firearms associated with 421 temporary permits within the Firearm Licensing System. These permits relate to visitors to WA or competition shooters from other jurisdictions who are licensed for those firearms in their own state/territory but not in WA. These firearms are technically unlicensed in WA however they are recorded through a permit system to allow the WA Police Force to know about their existence in WA. There are 10 526 unlicensed firearms associated with 4 961 ‘expired licences’ recorded within the Firearm Licensing System where a licence holder has not yet paid their renewal notice. Renewal is allowed within 12 month period under the Firearms Act 1973 . These firearms are known to police and the licence holder details are held within the Firearm Licensing system. It is not unusual to have a number of licences pending renewal. After three months, an infringement is issued against the licence holder. Should a licence be expired for more than 12 months, a licence cannot be renewed and firearms are seized.
(b) 329 743 as of 19 November 2018.
(c) As at 31 December: for 2013, 275 424; 2014, 290 999; 2015, 306 300; 2016, 318 577; and 2017, 325 653.
(d) The processing time for an application is dependent on the individual application.
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