State Aims to Strengthen Gun Laws to Become the Most Stringent in Australia
WA Premier Roger Cook expressed astonishment at the ownership of 13 guns by a single individual after a tragic double murder-suicide incident last week.
The Premier of Western Australia, Roger Cook, has declared that new gun regulations being introduced into parliament will be the most stringent in Australia following a shooting incident in Perth.
On May 24, a registered gun owner named Mark Bombara, 63, tragically killed Jennifer Petelczyc, 59, and her daughter Gretl, 18, in their Floreat home in Perth before taking his own life.
Reportedly, the perpetrator entered the home in Perth in search of his ex-partner, but when he couldn’t locate her, he resorted to shooting Ms. Petelczyc and her daughter.
In response to the horrific event, Mr. Cook emphasized the urgent need to thoroughly overhaul the existing gun laws.
The Premier of WA also questioned the rationale behind allowing a man residing in the Perth suburb of Mosman Park to legally possess 13 guns.
Speaking at a press conference on May 27, he remarked, “It’s difficult to comprehend – one individual owning 13 guns, all completely legal, right here in the suburbs of Perth.”
The Firearms bill 2024 (pdf) currently before parliament aims to enforce stricter control and regulation of firearms. This bill revises the Firearms Act 1973 and sets limits on the number of guns an individual can own.
Furthermore, the bill introduces mandatory health assessments, both physical and mental, to verify that gun owners are deemed “fit and proper” to hold a firearm license.
Under the proposed law, individuals holding a firearm license for recreational hunting under the 1973 act would be required to apply for a separate license specifically for hunting purposes, as per a government explanatory memorandum (pdf).
Recreational License to Be Eliminated
Mr. Cook announced that the proposed firearm reforms are currently under consideration by the Western Australian parliament and are set to be debated in the legislative council on May 28.
He affirmed, “These regulations will be the most stringent in Australia. I have directed the police minister to closely examine the events of Friday to explore any additional changes that can be made to toughen these laws even further.”
He stressed the importance of reducing access to guns as a means to prevent another tragedy like the one that occurred.
Furthermore, Police Minister Paul Papalia mentioned that the shooter, who had no prior criminal record, held 11 firearms under a recreational license and two under a collector’s license.
“The existing laws governing these licenses are inadequate. That is why we have the harshest firearms legislation in the nation currently making its way through parliament and soon to be deliberated in the upper house,” he stated.
The new laws will treat firearm possession and usage as a privilege, eliminating the concept of a recreational license.
Mr. Papalia highlighted that under the new laws, the shooter from May 24 would have been subject to limitations on the number of firearms owned, as well as a mental health evaluation.
Additionally, the collector’s license he possessed would have been subject to more stringent regulations.
“These regulations are the strictest in the country, and as the premier mentioned, he has tasked me with collaborating with the police commissioner to assess this dreadful situation and determine if there are additional measures we can take to make them even more stringent,” the minister explained.
In response to the tragedy in Perth, Nationals WA Opposition Leader Shane Love described it as “heartbreaking” and extended his sympathies to the family impacted.
“If you, or someone you know needs help, or if you are distressed by this incident, there are support services available.”
Although his statement did not delve into the pending gun laws in parliament, Mr. Love previously declared in March that the Opposition would oppose Labor’s contentious firearms reforms.
In contrast, the Liberal Party has shown broad support for the proposed limits on firearms.
In 2021, the National Party and Liberal Party in Western Australia formed an alliance to create the opposition following Labor’s sweeping victory.
