WEST Australian police have seized the firearms of an 83-year-old man in Busselton, giving him 28 days to attempt to retrieve them.
It was one of a series of raids carried out by WA cops, who have targeted so-called sovereign citizens for special attention in regard to firearm ownership. In this case the alleged reason for the seizure was that the man’s grandson, who is living with him, has a criminal conviction.
The elderly man’s older son posted the incident on Facebook and requested anonymity for fear of being targeted.
“This morning in Busselton WA, eight…yes eight police officers knocked on my father’s door (83-year-old) and confiscated his riffles and ammo (.22, shotgun, air rifle),” the man said.
“He had just spent months getting his license updated and approved, never had a conviction, was a JP for 10 years and owned his guns since he was a kid.”
He believed the raid was because his younger brother’s criminal convictions. He did not details what those convictions were.
“Eight bloody coppers in full riot gear with bullet proof vests and a bad attitude,” the older brother said.
“Be extra careful if anyone out there has family that may have stuffed up and they stay at your house, guilt by association runs deep with these new laws.”
Bunbury resident Warren Bradley posted: “Quite disturbing when your criminal record is transferable to others. Sort of opens a god almighty can of worms.”
Well done West Australian editor in chief Christopher Dore, you just ushered in a police state that is going after dissidents who own firearms – and it doesn’t matter if those firearms are owned lawfully – they’re grabbing them anyway.
Grabbing firearms from people considered to have “unsavoury views” is one issue, and a major one, but WA Labor’s new firearms legislation is a nightmare for all sorts of people.
According to the Western Australia Firearms Licence Holders group and the WA Nationals, the Cook Labor government’s heavy-handed legislation has created fear, confusion and unintended harm right across WA.
Even government officers who would use a firearm to euthanase a badly injured animal now face penalties for using a firearm on crown land.
Other firearm owners are already losing their licenses over old, non-violent traffic offences, while sporting shooters now must have a first aid officer on hand just to open their ranges.
A parliamentary committee reviewing the legislation has received more than 3000 submissions. It will report on October 16th.