Esperance Police to Tackle Illicit Firearms

State-Wide Operation


Article heading image for Esperance Police to Tackle Illicit Firearms

Esperance Police are set to participate in a state-wide operation to tackle the issue of illicit firearms in WA.

An operation that has been initiated by WA Police, is set to be a multi-phased effort to remove illicit firearms and promote the safe and secure storage of licensed firearms.

A report  by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission estimates that there are 260,000 firearms on the national illicit market.

Police say firearms incidents are unusual in WA, but there have been a number of recent events that have given reason for concerns.

January 2016 to July 2018 saw more than 1300 firearms reported stolen in WA, with 51 per cent stolen in the metropolitan region.

Since July 2018, there have been 52 firearm theft incidents in which 11 handguns and 128 rifles were stolen.

49 of these incidents occurred at residential premises and 33 involved a compliance breach on behalf of the owner.

As part of the operation, Esperance Police say firearms license holders and gun owners would be contacted by police to arrange an inspection time and be provided with information on the standard of security required and will be delivering infringements to those who have allowed their firearms license to expire.

Members of the public are urged to contact Esperance Police if they had firearms they no longer required, as officers would be able to assist with their disposal. 

To contact Esperance Police, call (08) 9079 8999.

9 November 2018




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