More than 2750 guns handed in across Mid West-Gascoyne district during State Government firearm buyback

More than 2750 firearms were surrendered in the Mid West-Gascoyne over the six-month voluntary gun buyback scheme — an average of 12 a day. The amnesty has come to end, with 38,422 firearms turned in at local police stations across WA by more than 20,500 licensed gun owners who traded them in for up to $1000. That was made up of 3195 handguns, 9908 shotguns and 25,339 rifles. In the Mid West-Gascoyne, 2757 firearms were handed over to police, with about 45 per cent of the total haul coming from regional WA. That was more than the regional police districts of the Wheatbelt (2601), Goldfields-Esperance (1331), Pilbara (522) and Kimberley (323). The South West had the most surrendered guns in regional WA (5464), while the Great Southern had 4244. Since the scheme ended on August 31, WA Police have destroyed almost half of the firearms (21,000) and are expected to dismantle the remaining guns in coming weeks. They are either being grounded into tiny fragments or blasted to pieces with explosives. About 6000 licensed holders gave away all their firearms. The State Government’s gun reforms limit the number of firearms a licensed holder can own. Primary producers and competition shooters can licence up to 10 guns while recreational shooters are allowed no more than five. Police Minister Paul Papalia said the new Firearms Act would help improve community safety and thanked WA Police for its efforts in making the buyback progress smooth. “The response to the State Government-funded voluntary gun buyback has been overwhelmingly positive with more than 10 per cent of the total number of licensed guns in Western Australia surrendered for destruction,” he said. WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch added: “‘Put simply there are over 38,000 reasons why my police officers are now safer and the community is now safer.” Premier Roger Cook said introducing the toughest gun laws in the nation would help to remove unnecessary guns from the community and improve public safety. “By their very design, guns were created to end life. Therefore, it is essential we limit access to them in the community and have strict processes in place to monitor and regulate their use,” he said. “Fewer guns, coupled with more robust regulation and monitoring of firearm use, means a safer WA for all.” It was the biggest gun buyback in WA since the Port Arthur massacre in 1996. The State Government budgeted $64 million for the program, with about $11m paid out so far. BUYBACK BREAKDOWN Metro Perth 554 Midland 4251 Joondalup 3023 Mirrabooka 1774 Fremantle 2461 Mandurah 3990 Armadale 2361 Cannington 1792 Regional South West 5464 Great Southern 4244 Mid West-Gascoyne 2757 Wheatbelt 2601 Goldfields-Esperance 1331 Pilbara 522 Kimberley 323 Source: WA Police