A WEST Australian man has gone public on the state’s draconian regulations that severely restrict firearm owneship.
Mandurah diesel mechanic and father-of-two Shaun Martin posted the photo (above) on social media fearing it might lead to harassment or intimidation, but felt it was important to speak out.
In late February this year the Western Australia Police Force classified him as “not a fit and proper person” under section 152 of the Firearms Act 2024 WA. That resulted in more than 10 officers coming to confiscate his legally owned rifles – despite having no criminal charges against him.
Shaun’s experience is not an isolated one. Numerous people across the state have had their firearm licences cancelled by police simply for suspicion under the Firearms Act 2024 and declared “not fit and proper persons”.
“My friend just had his (guns) taken too,” said Donna Ware. “They reckon they found a bullet on top of his wardrobe that didn’t belong to any of his guns. They refused to show him the so-called bullet. It is a load of shit. I hope you appeal it. What was probable cause for confiscation?”
“I’ve been a licensed firearm owner since I was 18, and as many of you know, shooting is my passion,” says Shaun.
“I recently started working as a professional shooter, earning money doing what I love. My rifles have never posed a threat to anyone, so it’s bewildering to see such resources directed at me.”
Shaun told social media followers that they should take a moment to reflect on the direction Australia is heading and we at Cairns News agree.
“First, it’s firearms. Then fishing, next it could be four-wheel driving, camping—who knows what else? You might think it doesn’t affect you yet, but these changes impact all of us. We risk losing our way of life, piece by piece.
“Stand together with your mates and stick up for what’s right, otherwise it will be a grim future for our following generations.”
Shaun says the officers who attended his property where polite and respectful, as if “just doing their job”.
He said he was absolutely shocked at how much this has blown up as he thought he was only posting to friends and family.
“Without going into too many details the not a fit and proper person accusation seems to be a hot topic,” he said. Cairns News previously reported on this when WA police did a series of raids against other people deemed “not fit and proper”.
“Long story short, I spent my teenage and early 20s in a small town and was allegedly seen and grew up with people not liked by the police. Being a small town it’s extremely likely to run in to someone out and about.”
Shaun moved away about 10 years ago and has since started a business and a family. He says he has no criminal record past, present or wiped. “I have had absolutely zero charges or major dealings with the police before this,” he says.
“I’m a family man and a small business owner. I pride myself on my reputation and my beautiful family.”
He said the point of his social media post was to raise awareness around the overreach of power clearly displayed in front of us all.
“To be classed as ‘not a fit and proper person’ because you allegedly hung out and or spoke to someone in your early 20s is absolutely disgusting.
“I’m human, definitely not perfect but giving it my all, so before judging me please remember: He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone.”
Cairns News has emailed Shaun seeking further information on his situation with the firearms.
A formal appeal and review process is available under Part 9 of the Firearms Act 2024 (WA). If the WA Police Force makes an adverse decision against firearm owners, they have the right to challenge it.
However this appeal must happen within 28 days of the police action and involves appearing before the State Administrative Tribunal of WA (SAT).
Police must also issue a formal written notice under Section 413 of the Act, and the notice must clearly state: (i) The relevant time limits to lodge a challenge; (ii) The exact grounds and reasons for their decision; (iii) The firearm owner’s explicit right to seek a review of that decision.
However, this process is obviously going to involve time preparing character witnesses and probably the cost of a lawyer as well.
A lone punter fronting up up to the tribunal protesting how unfair it all is and saying “I’m not a bad bloke” is unlikely to cut it with a hostile police prosecutor and a bench looking for some hard written or in-person character evidence.