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Current Campaigns

Here you would find the latest’s campaigns we are under taking.

Remember just because a campaign doesn’t affect you, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get involved. We need all our voices to be heard. You may think that the campaign isn’t doing enough, but remember any win, no matter how small is still a win for the firearm owning community. We can’t move a mountain over night, we can however move a mountain boulder by boulder and rock by rock. Each small win (regardless of which organisation achieved it) helps the end goal. So get involved where you can and help us in the fight for shooters rights!

Western Australia’s Calibre Ban

Firearm Owners United objects to the proposed calibre ban and have sent statements to the WA police minister, premier, and police commissioner. Western Australian residents are encouraged to write to their representatives as well, and we have a template for you to do so.

Dear [MINISTER],

I, [YOUR NAME HERE], am writing to you as my elected Western Australian parliament representative. The Western Australian government has decided to further restrict law-abiding firearm owners, for no further contributions to public safety. I request that you read this statement by firearm advocacy group Firearm Owners United, and that you as my representative object to these changes.

 

In a media statement on the 14th February 2023, the WA Premier and WA Minister for Police outlined that 56 types of firearms and 19 calibres will become illegal, currently affecting 248 licensed legal firearms1. This will allegedly be done to ensure police and community safety, as a way of protection from gun violence. Further, an example was used from a police raid of a licensed individual on the 6th May 2022. These statements and proposed ban presents several issues which we will address.

Community Safety. There have been zero public endangerment events from licensed firearm owners in Western Australia using any of the firearms or calibres proposed to be banned, which already negates any contributions to public safety from this proposed ban. The Acting WA Police Commissioner outlined that “some projectiles from these firearms are capable of penetrating the body armour worn by police officers”, this is categorically untrue, as Level IV rated body armour requires a projectile designed to penetrate body armour2, which have been outlawed in the Western Australia Firearms Regulations 1974, Section 26, Subsection 3, Page 373. A licensed individual already cannot acquire equipment that would be capable of penetrating body armour, further negating alleged contributions to public safety. The WA Police Minister admitted that the worst offence the aforementioned individual committed, that is being used as the basis for these bans, was lack of council approval. Proving this individual did not endanger the public with these firearms in any objective way.

This ban will have detrimental effects on environmental conservation efforts. Western Australia currently has issues with introduced feral megafauna such as one-humped camels (Camelus dromedaries)4, donkeys (Equus asinus)5, and feral horse (Equus caballus)6. The reduction of these animals is essential for the health of the beautiful Western Australian landscape, and its unique flora and fauna. Ground shooting operations, specifically with volunteer recreational hunters who use licensed firearms, are one of the most effective way to deal with these animals. The firearm calibres required to ethically kill these large animals are those which are proposed to be banned, as outlined in numerous code-of-ethics manuals7-9. This proposed ban would produce results which are contrary to environmental protection objective outcomes.

The Long Range Precision10 shooting sport would be devastated by this ban. Target shooting is one of the most inclusive sports practiced in 2023. Competition target shooting competitors come from all backgrounds11, 12, with everyone encouraged to compete on the same level regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ability, and cultural background, completely surpassing the Australian Sports Commission Inclusive Sport Framework13. The banning of these calibres would be the destruction of one of Western Australia’s most inclusive and welcoming sport and social event.

I, and the rest of the Western Australian law abiding firearm owning community, object heavily to the proposed changes and any support of these changes will ensure you do not get my vote.

 

Yours sincerely,
[YOUR NAME HERE]
[YOUR WESTERN AUSTRALIAN ADDRESS HERE]
[Contact details]

 

 

 

Bibliography

 

  1. Government of Western, A., Media Statements – New firearms crackdown to bolster public safety. Media Statements, 2023.
  2. Justice Technology Information, C., EXISTING LEVELS OF PROTECTION WHAT ARE NIJ COMPLIANT ARMORS TESTED AGAINST?
  3. Western Australia Firearms Regulations 1974.
  4. Wa Dept. of Biodiversity, C. and Attractions, Camels in Western Australia. www.dpaw.wa.gov.au, 2014.
  5. Department of Primary, I., A. Regional Development’s, and Food, Feral donkey. www.agric.wa.gov.au, 2014.
  6. Australian Government – Department of Sustainability, E.W.P. and Communities, FERAL HORSE (EQUUS CABALLUS) AND FERAL DONKEY (EQUUS ASINUS).
  7. Sharp, T., Ground shooting of camels. PestSmart, 2012.
  8. Sharp, T., Ground shooting of feral donkeys. PestSmart, 2012.
  9. Sharp, T., Ground shooting of feral horses. PestSmart, 2011.
  10. Sporting Shooting Association of, A., Long range precision – Sporting Shooters’ Association of Australia (SSAA), in Sporting Shooters’ Association of Australia (SSAA).
  11. Shooting, A., Para-shooting. Shooting Australia.
  12. Queensland Target, S., Shooting With a Disability | Queensland Targetsports Inc. Shooting with a Disability.
  13. Australian Sports, C., Inclusive Sport. Sport Australia.

 

Bowhunting ban proposal in South Australia

We’ve created a new page for our statement on the bowhunting ban proposal in South Australia. It is a long read, but worthwhile.

Read HERE.

Suppressors

We have changed things around slightly for suppressors. As suppressors are banned nationwide, but through each state and territory’s legislation, we have a whole new page.

Please click THIS LINK to take you to our suppressor letter templates.

Proposed changes to New South Wales Game and Feral animal Control Regulations

Dear Minister [INSERT YOUR MINISTERS NAME HERE],

I, [INSERT YOUR NAME HERE], am writing to you as my local member to express my support for the proposed changes to the Game and Feral animal control Regulation 2022 (New South Wales).

I wish to inform you as my local member that the proposed changes are supported by the hunting community and will provide a pathway to a safer hunting experience, safer hunting community, increase the appreciation of the natural landscape, provide a community service in the assistance of removal of pest species, and provide further opportunities for family bonding.

The New South Wales Government are proposing the following changes:

  • Removing Section 13(3), restrictions on granting licences – to allow for the issuance of a hunting licence for minors under the age of 12
  • Allow persons aged 16-18 to hunt using dogs, bows, and arrows, without adult supervision
  • Allow persons aged 18 and older to supervise minors under 12 who are hunting – this would allow for older siblings, or other family members, to accompany younger siblings or other family members on hunts

I would like to note that persons under the age of 18 are already allowed to handle to shoot bows, on both private property and at target shooting clubs, with no issues with public safety.

I, and the hunting community of NSW, support these legislative changes. A person who from a young age is taught how to hunt and handle weapons in a safe and appropriate manner, who is taught the value of life, who learns firsthand where our food comes from, grows up to be a courteous person who has a greater understanding and appreciation of our food system, our wilderness areas, and values the lives of those around them. Furthermore, the contribution of hunters to the NSW economy and feral animal mitigation cannot be overstated, and these changes will only promote more people to enter this community to provide economic boosts and ecological benefits.

Thank you for your time.

Yours faithfully,

[YOUR NAME HERE]

[YOUR NUMBER HERE]

[YOUR ADDRESS HERE]

QLD Instructors Campaign

In Queensland, Firearm Safety Course Instructors are allowed to own a category D firearm for the purpose of instructing. However they are not allowed to import one and are limited to the few second, third or fourth hand semi-auto centrefires that are floating the market. This campaign aims to get “instructing” as a reason for import. It is one of, and thankfully very few, federal firearm legislation laws we as shooters are affected by.

Below is our Letter Template for this campaign for you to copy and paste (we encourage editing and submitting your version – just remember to keep it brief and polite) and send to your Federal MP.

Dear Sir/Madam [REPRESENTATIVES NAME]

I, [YOUR NAME HERE], am writing to you to address a concern I have that involves firearms and the rules regarding their importation. In Queensland, there are a number of professions who qualify for semi-automatic and high-capacity firearms according to Queensland state legislation (Queensland Weapons Act 1990, Queensland Weapons Regulation 2016, and Queensland Weapons Categories Regulation 1997). These include, but are not limited to, “Primary Producers”, “Occupational – Feral animal controller”, and “Firearms Instructors”. 

To qualify for the licence, each person must undertake the ASQA (Australian Skills Quality Authority) accredited course module “NAT11029004 – Use Category D firearms lawfully, safely and responsibly”. This is part of the wider “11029NAT – Course in Firearms and Weapons Safety (Approved for Firearms Licensing in Queensland)” course that is a prerequisite to apply for a firearms licence within Queensland and is overseen by a person with an aforementioned “Instructors” licence. 

This is where issues present themselves. “Primary Producer” and “Feral animal controller”, and select others, category C and D licence holders are eligible for permits to import category C and D firearms from the Department of Home Affairs, whereas “Instructor” licence holders are not. This means that primary producers and pest controllers can and do buy brand new firearms, however, instructors – who have to teach primary producers and pest controllers – are relegated to second hand firearms already in Australia. These firearms are often in poor condition, presenting a Workplace Health and Safety issue, and out of date in terms of relevancy, as new category C and D firearms are different in operation. It is essential for pest controllers and primary producers to be trained on firearms that are relevant to their profession, it is also essential that firearm trainers and trainees are allowed to use tools and equipment that is safe – and at the current time as they do are not eligible for permits to import category C and D firearms, this need is not met.

I am requesting that the Department of Home Affairs add “Firearm Instructors”, those who conduct safety courses for firearms, to the eligible persons for permits to import category C and D firearms. 

 

Yours faithfully,

[YOUR NAME HERE]
[YOUR ADDRESS HERE – important because MPs like to verify if you live in their electorate before they get involved in an issue]