• Biggest removal of guns anywhere in Australia since John Howard's Port Arthur Massacre buyback
• Western Australia's tough new laws commence March 31, 2025
• Phased approach means every licenced firearm owner will have 90 days to transition to new system
• WA Police to contact every licenced firearms owner to assist, with a dedicated call centre established

Almost 52,000 guns have been surrendered to WA Police as part of the Cook Labor Government's historic firearm buyback.

The removal of 51,988 guns from the community marks the biggest reduction of firearms anywhere in the nation since 1997 when then Prime Minister John Howard introduced the National Firearms Agreement and buyback scheme following the Port Arthur Massacre.

The recent licenced firearm dealer buyback resulted in 2,051 handguns, 2,325 shotguns and 7,251 rifles being handed over to police in two-months. It comes after the success of the first two stages of WA's multimillion-dollar voluntary firearm buyback program.

WA's half a century old Firearms Act has been completely rewritten to prioritise public safety above all else. WA is now the only jurisdiction in the nation to limit the number of guns an individual can own and require health checks.

The historic reforms follow a number of high-profile violent crimes in recent years using licenced firearms including:

• the worst mass murder in the country since Port Arthur, near Margaret River in 2018;
• the assassination of Nick Martin at the crowded Kwinana Motorplex in 2020;
• the first school shooting in Australia at a Two Rocks high school in 2023;
• the shocking workplace shooting and suicide in Kellerberrin in 2023; and
• the appalling domestic violence double murder and suicide in Floreat last year.

The tough new firearm laws will come into effect through a phased approach from March 31.

Under these transitional arrangements all existing firearms licence holders will be automatically granted a transitioning authority (effectively a temporary licence) and will have at least 90 days to transition across to the new system.

From 31 March, all existing licence holders whose licence is due to expire before 30 June will have 90 days from their licence expiry date to comply with the new legislation. From 1 July, existing firearm licence holders will be given 90 days notice before transitioning to new licence conditions.

Every licenced firearm owner in the State will be contacted individually by a WA Police officer and walked through requirements tailored to their circumstance.

Around 90 per cent of licenced firearm owners in WA own less than five guns and will not be required to change their storage. Everyone else will have at least 90 days, as part of the transition period, to upgrade their storage. Police will exercise discretion based on individual circumstances, for example evidence of reasonable steps undertaken to purchase new storage.

WA Police has also established a call centre, via 1300 894 474 with a dedicated team standing by to answer questions.

Comments attributed to Police Minister Paul Papalia:

"This is a historic moment for our State - overhauling Western Australia's half a century old gun legislation was a massive task.

"The easy thing to do would have been nothing, just like the Liberals and Nationals, but our Government will always do what is right by WA.

"Most illegal firearms used in violent crimes start off as licenced firearms and I am proud we have prioritised public safety above all else."