Police oppose handguns for cattlemen
West Australian, Page 19. Friday, 9 October 2009
Police Commissioner Karl O’Callaghan has rejected calls by the pastoral industry to allow cattlemen to carry handguns, saying he would not support any changes to legislation since current provisions were adequate.
The matter is scheduled to be debated this weekend at the Liberal Party conference with members of the Pearce division requesting that Police Minister Rob Johnson enable pastoralists to carry handguns for occupational safety reasons.
Mr O’Callaghan said he would not support a change in the 1973 Firearms Act to allow handguns to be used for destroying stock or vermin, saying unsafe workplace practices needed to be addressed to protect station employees from dangerous animals.
Pearce division president Rod Henderson said the opinion of the Commissioner was out of line with the rural community “The key debate will be the safety of the rural operators dealing with dangerous animals,” he said.
Pastoralists have been lobbying the State Government to have the Act amended to allow for handguns, arguing they needed a light weapon to carry safely on horseback or motorcycle during mustering to protect themselves from wild camels and rogue bulls.
But Mr O’Callaghan said the current regime of firearm licensing in WA was consistent with the resolutions of the 1996 National Firearm Agreement and the National Handgun Reform.
“Other firearms are equally, if not more suitable than handguns, most of which are unsuitable due to their inaccuracy and low stopping power,” he said.
Last year, Gascoyne cattleman Richie Brennan was trampled by a bull as he was unloading cattle in Perth, where he was not permitted to use a handgun.
The Pastoralists and Graziers Association’s Alex Burbury said both Queensland and South Australia permit pastoralists to use handguns for occupational purposes and it was consistent with the endorsement of the National Handgun Reform and Firearm Agreement.
Mr Johnson backed Mr O’Callaghan and said he would rule out making amendments to the Firearms Act because there are viable weapon alternatives they can use.
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