Quote:
WA News

Farmers battle ban on handguns
30th December 2007, 9:00 WST

Pastoralists are battling moves to stop them carrying handguns, claiming that they are an essential “tool of the trade” to shoot feral animals or injured livestock.

A review of the State’s firearms legislation by WA Police has proposed changes which will allow only people in security-related occupations to own handguns.

Pastoralists say they have carried handguns for decades and need light weapons they can carry easily on horseback or motorcycle during mustering to protect themselves against wild camels or rogue bulls. They also are needed to put down sick and injured stock.

Police released a discussion paper in October after consulting dealers, club and recreational shooters.

WAFarmers has urged its members to make submissions after they got an
extension until next month.

Pilbara pastoralist Lang Coppin, of Yarrie Station, 250km east of Port Hedland, said many pastoralists owned a handgun, which often was more practical to carry and use than a rifle. “Just about every property would have one registered pistol,” he said. “They are convenient to carry when you’re mustering and you can draw and shoot instantly if something is charging at you.” His workers, horses and livestock also were at risk from being charged by feral animals.

Firearms inquiry unit officer-in-charge Sen. Sgt Ronald Timmins said the suggested amendment was designed to clear up regulations confusion. A person could get a handgun licence if required in the course of their occupation.
But since 1996, people had to show a “genuine need” for restricted firearms and destroying stock or vermin was not considered such.

“It was always intended that the occupation was intended purely for security guards in pursuit of their occupation and their escorting of cash and valuables,” he said.“If a farmer can say he uses it for his job, what’s stopping a bank teller, professional fisherman, pharmacist or a service station proprietor working into the early hours of the morning from saying they need one.”

JODIE THOMSON. (unquote)

Is this the sort of situation that polilicians, John Howard in particular, wanted to come about?

Is Mise
A good thread. Thank You. Well I guess we could argue that the shop keeper or the bank teller wanted a pistol to do harm to another person while a farmer wanted it for as you say humane reasons.

If a beast breaks his leg two hundred miles from no where you need to put him out of his misery.

However they do now require to be licenced because we dont want these weapons in the hands of the wrong people.

You will get plenty of people claiming that farmers should not be any different to anybody else.

Well they are and despite all these cute cuddly laws if ou have a snake about to bite you or your horse or camp buddy a hand gun can save your life.
Its not like you near the local hospital when you are out mustering.
Mind you we have few real farmers around anymore.

Most of these idiot feed lot people drive around in 4 wheel drives.

Do you guys understand what a handgun is?

Put simply, one that you can hold in your hand. We are not talking rifles here.

Handguns already need special licenses in NSW, differing to the licenses for rifles.

Seems WA is just finally catching up.

Farmers are still able to own guns to put down stock and kill snakes or whatever else.

PF,
Do you know what scrub bulls and bull camels are?
Ever seen them in action?

Of course I know what a handgun is, and that there is a special licence different to a rifle licence etc etc.

All that I wonder is why the police in WA want to stop graziers from having a suitable pistol to use in an emergency when their life is threatened by wild animals.

Maybe the police will ride out to protect them?

Is Mise, you make a good point. Station cattle are of course
extremely wild and the city cops would have no idea about
their behaviour. Once a couple of people are killed by them,
as they never had time to rush back for the rifle, then
Worksafe will have to step in.

I think that the P&G need to find somebody who puts their
case clearly to the police, to explain to them how things
go on a station, hundreds of km from any copshop. Its
pretty rough and rugged country out there on some of these
stations.

What a load of garbage!

Having worked in northern australia for a fair few years on Cattle stations with wild cattle I can say [with a modicum of authority] that we NEVER used hand guns when mustering these ornery critters!!

I have never heard of anyone having to use a hand gun to get out of trouble.

Experienced stockmen can dispatch humanely, a sick or wounded animal with the back of an axe .

Mind You , the main aim was to get the wildest animal to the yards so we could sell him or her .

To kill a saleable animal was virtually unthinkable !

I am not saying I would not have shot a few if I had a hand gun as I had had a few close calls and that is probably the problem with hand guns in today's society .

Too many farmers and their sons are knocking themselves OFF .

Let's face it hand guns represent for Australians a dangerous weapon in society and we can do without it anywhere.

Ps , For [history] the average Headstockman in Northern Australia with a few young Aboriginal; and and an even less number of white stockmen, taking a chance with wild cattle getting them to the yard , was part of the fun and it was all par for the course !