Question On Notice No. 1786 asked in the Legislative Council on 20 November 2018 by Hon Rick Mazza
Question Directed to the: Minister for Environment representing the Minister for Police
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
Question
I refer to Operation Bluesun and the report in The West Australian that 1317 firearms were stolen between January 2016 and July 2018 and I ask:
(a) what proportion of those stolen firearms were:
(i) components of firearms classified as firearms under the current Act;
(ii) paintball guns;
(iii) firearms other than those in categories A, B, C and H; and
(iv) firearms owned by government departments or agencies; and
(b) of those stolen firearms:
(i) what proportion were recovered;
(ii) how many offenders were apprehended;
(iii) how many charges were laid against apprehended offenders;
(iv) of those charges how many were for burglary and how many were for offences under the Firearms Act 1973; and
(v) how many convictions were there for offences under the Firearms Act 1973 and what were the penalties applied?
Answered on 13 February 2019
The Western Australian Police Force advise:
(a)
(i) 15. Refers to non-conventional firearms such as pen guns and other items deemed to be capable of discharging or propelling a shot, bullet or other missile
(ii) Zero.
(iii)
|
Firearm Type
|
Quantity Stolen
|
Quantity Recovered
|
Percentage
Recovered
|
|
Rifle
|
745
|
140
|
19%
|
|
Shotgun
|
225
|
36
|
17%
|
|
Pistol
|
216
|
38
|
17%
|
|
Revolver
|
69
|
5
|
7%
|
|
Antique Firearm
|
32
|
9
|
28%
|
|
Rifle Air or Gas
|
15
|
8
|
53%
|
|
Other
|
15
|
3
|
20%
|
(iv) The Western Australia Police Force Incident Management System (IMS) does not record that specific information.
(b)
(i) Refer to table above. (239)
(ii)- (iv)
The term “apprehended offender” isn’t a usual term used by police, nor is it readily searchable. If the member clarifies his question, I’ll endeavour to get the information from police.
(v) Please refer to the Attorney General.