ON-FARM

Farmers welcome exemption of captive bolts in WA firearms act

WESTERN Australian farmers have applauded a decision to exempt captive bolts and their ammunitions from the Firearms Act 1973 (WA), bringing the state in line with other Australian jurisdictions.

Alex Paull
Farmers welcome exemption of captive bolts in WA firearms act

The Law Reform Commission of Western Australia recently released the final review of the Firearms Act 1973 (WA), which noted that captive bolts were excluded from the definition of firearm in the majority of other Australian states and territories.

The Commission recommended that a captive bolt be specifically defined and excluded from the definition of a firearm, with the recommendation that it be defined as a device designed for use in the humane killing or stunning of livestock by means of a retractable bolt.

It also recommended that a captive bolt should be defined as a controlled weapon under the Weapons Act 1999 (WA) and that it be a lawful excuse to use or possess a captive bolt for the purposes of animal welfare.

WAFarmers CEO Stephen Brown said the recommendations were a win for industry, particularly the dairy industry.

“We acknowledge all those involved in advocating for the removal of captive bolts from the Firearms Act, particularly our own team at WAFarmers and the Dairy Council,” he said.

“By redefining captive bolts and then excluding them from the Act, it will remove much burdensome red tape from agricultural-based businesses and industries, thus increasing time efficiency and productivity.

“We now look forward to working with Dairy Australia to run full captive bolt training in WA and developing a training kit for use within the state.”

WA Police will soon contact farming organisations and individuals that have captive bolt guns currently licenced as a firearm to advise they are no longer required to licence them, as they now fall under the Weapons Act 1999 (WA).

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the farming sector, brought to you by the Farming Ahead team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the farming sector, brought to you by the Farming Ahead team.

editions

Research Report: Harvest Weed Seed Mills

The Report includes a round up of commercially-available batching plants as well as farmer-made approaches.

editions

Research Report: Agritechnica 2023

Kondinin Group’s Mark Saunders, Ben White and Josh Giumelli went to Agritechnica, Germany. This report covers the key award winners from the event and some of the latest autonomous platforms displayed.

editions

Research Report: Fronting Up

This Research Report looks at harvester fronts including research and expertise from Kondinin Group’s Ben White, with input from harvesting specialists Brett Asphar, Kassie Van Der Westhuizen, Murray Skayman and Martin Reichelt.

editions

Research Report: Liquid Applications At Seeding

Kondinin Group’s Mark Saunders, Josh Giumelli and Ben White have rounded up liquid application Case Studies for this Research Report including tips and tricks from experiencd producers.