Western Australian Police create database of firearm users on rural properties
9 June 1997
District Police Office
PO 10136
Hannan Street
Kaloorlie WA 6430
Dear Sir/Madam
I seek your assistance in resolving what I believe to be a community safety issue.
As you would be aware, there have been major legislative changes relating to the licencing of firearms, Australia wide.
I recognise, and support the rights of individuals, particularly in the rural sector to licence and possess firerams for legitimate purposes. I am however concerned over the number of individuals, not directly linked to rural production, who seek and obtain permission to shoot, apparently for recreational purposes, on rural properties within the Kalgoorlie Police District.
It is self evident that an excessive number of people authorised to shoot on any particular property can represent a safety concern, and could present the owner/manager with a "duty of care" dilemma.
A prerequisite to firearm ownership (apart from club or some professional purposes) is the gaining of permission from a suitable land holder to shoot on a property. In future, it will be my policy to restrict such applicants to firearm use on the nominated property only.
I would suggest that you, as one such land holder can contribute to a safer community by restricting the number of individuals entitled to shoot on the property you control. I would therefore ask that you apply strict criteria, and bear in mind legitimate need, when considering requests from individuals to use a firearm on your property.
In order to assist managing this issue, a database is being developed to identify those rural properties providing letters permitting recreational shooting, and those with an inordinate number of people authorised to use a firearm within their boundaries.
If you keep a register of those authorised to use a firearm on your property, I would appreciate if that information could be made available to me, in order that our database be as accurate as possible.
I look forward to your cooperation in this matter and welcome any personal input which would assist me dealing with this issue.
(signed)
A.K. WATSON APM
Superintendent
District Police Office
Kalgoorlie Telephone (08) 90219730
Copy held SSAA National
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