Outback cattlemen want to keep their handguns
West Australian, Page: 5. Wednesday, 15 April, 2009
Outback cattlemen have urged the State Government to reconsider moves in the law that will strip them of their handguns, arguing the weapons are a critical work tool to protect them against dangerous animals.
Pastoralists and Graziers Association pastoral director Alex Burbury said some station owners had already been asked by police to hand in their pistols and the group was bracing for more licences to be revoked.
It follows a review of the 1973 Firearms Act that recommended destroying stock or vermin was not a suitable occupational reason for owning a handgun.
Mr Burbury said the group had lobbied Police Minister Rob Johnson to reconsider the changes, arguing they needed light weapons which they could carry safely on horseback or motorcycles during mustering to protect themselves against wild camels or rogue bulls.
Labor MP for the North-West Vince Catania said he had received calls from people who argued handguns offered protection for themselves and staff while working in the pastoral industry “My concern, and I think this concern reflects that of shooters, pastoralists and graziers, is that the safety of country people may be compromised,” he said.
Gascoyne cattleman Richie Brennan, who runs Landor Station, was hospitalised six months ago after a bull charged and trampled him as he was unloading station cattle near Perth, where he was not permitted to use a handgun. The incident highlighted the risk that bulls, which could weigh up to a tonne, posed for cattlemen on the station, he said.
Mr Brennan had not been asked to hand in his licensed handgun but was worried about the safety implications if asked to do so.
“It’s not something we want to use but every so often you need to,” he said. “There are probably three occasions I can think of where I could have been killed if I didn’t have it with me. It’s like a pair of pliers, it is part of our equipment.” Mr Johnson said yesterday that the decision was made at the Australasian Police Ministers ‘ Council that firearms regulations be reviewed to get as many concealable guns out of the public domain.
“Pastoralists and graziers need weapons for various reasons and I understand that and have listened to their concerns during the review process,” he said.
“While I, along with WA Police, support pastoralists possessing firearms for legitimate use in their profession, it is against current WA law and agreed national policy to possess and use a handgun for such purposes as destroying stock and vermin. Alternative firearms are available for these purposes which are safe and convenient to use.”
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