Frustrated gun owners in Western Australia gathered in significant numbers at Parliament House to protest against newly imposed firearms regulations. Despite their efforts, the motion to overturn these laws, spearheaded by Legalise Cannabis MLC Brian Walker, is unlikely to pass due to opposition from the Greens. The regulations, introduced in March, have been described as the “strictest in the country.”
Walker attempted to use a disallowance motion to compel the government to retract the laws. However, despite the presence of over 1,000 protesters, the motion is expected to fail without the crucial support of the Greens. Brad Pettitt, the Greens leader, stated that the party could not endorse the “nuclear option” of completely repealing the regulations.
The rally, organized by David Finnie, saw gun owners and groups like the WA Nationals and One Nation MLCs express their discontent. The new laws aim to make obtaining firearms licenses more stringent, limiting most individuals to 10 firearms, with a further reduction to five for hunting licenses.
Community Concerns and Reactions
At the protest, gun owner Murray Cave voiced his concerns, stating that the regulations would not enhance public safety. “The guns that we’ve got are all licensed, people know where they are … and we’re doing all the right things,” he said. Debra Taylor, a farmer, emphasized the cultural impact, saying, “This is about us keeping our tools … to maintain our way of living, it’s our heritage, it’s our culture.”
The rally’s size led to the closure of the public gallery in parliament. Many gun owners expressed frustration over difficulties in registering new firearms and accessing the online portal. One participant mentioned waiting three months for a gun license.
Political Implications and Ministerial Warnings
Police Minister Reece Whitby expressed concern over the support for the disallowance motion, warning of potential “total firearm anarchy” if the motion succeeded. “Every firearm in Western Australia would become prohibited because it’s not categorised under the regulations, which would be disallowed,” Whitby explained.
However, rally organizer David Finnie dismissed these claims, arguing that the laws were an overreach. “Let’s be honest, there is only one intention here, it is to control us and disarm us,” he told the crowd. Dr. Walker echoed these sentiments, warning of a broader erosion of freedoms.
Greens’ Position and Legislative Challenges
The disallowance motion was initially introduced by Nationals Leader Shane Love in May but failed. While the WA Greens supported referring the regulations to a Parliamentary Committee, they opposed the current motion. Brad Pettitt stated, “This nuclear option that’s before the parliament today, of literally blowing it all up before that’s even happening [the committee reviewing the regulations] is something that can’t be supported.”
With the Greens’ opposition, the motion lacks the support needed to pass, even with backing from the Opposition and some crossbench members. Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas, who previously supported the motion, did not comment on his current stance.
Deepfake Controversy and Misinformation
The protest coincided with warnings from police and consumer authorities about deepfake videos circulating on social media. These videos, featuring AI-generated police officers condemning the firearm law reforms, have raised concerns about potential community unrest. One video falsely depicts officers removing a gun from an elderly farmer, while another incorrectly claims that defense personnel cannot hold firearms without proving their mental stability.
Consumer Protection Commissioner Trish Blake warned, “It’s based on lies, and that’s where we’re worried that someone might be misguided into doing something dumb, responding or actioning something in any way that causes them harm or harm to the community.”
The spread of misinformation through these videos has added another layer of complexity to the already heated debate over WA’s firearm regulations. Authorities urge the public to verify information and remain calm amidst the controversy.
