Former Police Commissioner fears WA’s new gun laws could spark feral animal surge.

Western Australia’s former police commissioner says the state government’s tough new gun laws “unnecessarily” target regional shoots amid fears they could spark a surge in feral animal numbers.

Set to take effect on March 31 2025, the laws, which the government has labelled “historic reform”, impose tougher licensing restrictions, limits on the number of guns owned, and a string of other new rules and regulations.

But former WA Police Commissioner Karl O’Callaghan says the reforms would not combat crime in Perth, and have unfairly targeted law-abiding firearm owners in regional WA.

Mr O’Callaghan, who has worked in land management and pest control roles since retiring from the force, says the government may not realise the impact the law reform will have on feral animal management.

“I think government has thrown a blanket over a problem and captured everyone in that net when they’re trying to manage illegal gun management, or firearm crime,” he said.

“Targeting sporting shooters and farmers and people who require access to legitimate firearms, and some of them being high powered, is nonsensical because it’s not going to make a difference to the problem.”

Mr O’Callaghan said feral pest management was a huge issue in WA with natural resource management groups often relying on feral pest volunteer groups to eradicate foxes, rabbits, and pigs.

“It’s a very significant problem. Feral animal control in WA is huge, it covers vast areas,” he said.

“And firearms which they were legitimately allowed to own only two years ago they can no longer own, which makes their job more difficult.”

“Often you only get one shot … and if you have firearms that are not up to the task not only are you likely to miss but you can cause damage to and suffering to animals which is unnecessary.”

Brendan Barrows, who farms in Borden in WA’s south-east, said he was told by police last years that a 12-gauge shotgun he planned to purchase for pest control was not on the banned list.

“And I get a letter saying it’s prohibited and I’ve got to hand it back with no compensation or anything,” he said.

“I’m losing lambs by the hundred with foxes and [it’s] the quickest, humane way to eradicate them.”

Narrogin-based firearms retailer Bevan Steel said Mr Barrow’s experience was a familiar one.

“There’s a whole lot of surprises,” he said.

“They [customers] come into shops, they want answers. No one’s got answers to give them.”

Mr Steel said land owners and pest managers, tasked with the eradication of foxes and rabbits, were confused by the decision to ban or restrict low-calibre firearms.

“Myself and other retailers are losing tens of thousands of dollars in stock that we can’t send back to the east coast,” he said.

“I’m going to burn $50,000 worth of guns.”

Former police minister Paul Papalia said in January that more than 52,000 guns were surrendered to police under the government’s voluntary buyback scheme.

Police Commissioner Col Blanch said the laws were a matter for the parliament and government, with the job of police to “operationalise” them.

“A big change is always difficult to do in a population of 3 million people and 90,000 firearm owners,” he said.

“We’ve consulted widely, as has government. I don’t think we can make everyone happy all the time. We’re doing all we can to support firearm holders.”

Rolling out the laws will now fall to a new minister with Reece Whitby sworn into the police portfolio.

Premier Roger Cook said Mr Papalia’s removal had nothing to do with his handling of the gun laws, which observers say played a significant roll in Labor’s losses in Albany and Warren-Blackwood.

“What I’ve said to Paul is I want him to focus on defence industries,” Mr Cook said.

“We need to make sure that defence industries realise the huge economic opportunity that it is for Western Australia.”

A state government spokesman said it was “unapologetic about banning rapid-release or push button firearms.”