POLICE — FIREARM OWNERSHIP
252. Hon JAMES HAYWARD to the minister representing the
Minister for Police:
I
refer to the picture displayed in various recent media reports of the Minister
for Police and Premier with a .50 calibre rifle when announcing planned
changes to firearm legislation.
(1) How many .50 calibre rifles are
registered in Western Australia?
(2) Can the
minister advise of possible legitimate uses for .50 calibre rifles in Western Australia,
and if they include the control of feral camels?
(3) Can the minister advise where
the police sourced the .50 calibre rifle that he was pictured with?
(4) Has the Western
Australia Police Force ever purchased a .50 calibre rifle; and, if so, when was
the most recent time such a firearm was purchased?
Hon
SAMANTHA ROWE replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of this question. I answer on behalf of the Minister for Emergency
Services. The following information has been provided to me by the Minister for
Police.
(1) There are 20.
(2) There is no legitimacy to any proposal that a .50
calibre rifle is required for the destruction of feral camels. Expert
advice has outlined that the largest firearm required to deal with feral
animals in WA is a .308 calibre rifle.
(3) A licensed firearm dealer
within Western Australia.
(4) Yes, on 24 February 2022.