"Feral animal invasion in drought leads WA graziers to renew call for access to restricted firearms"
Pastoralists in remote Western Australia battling drought say they need access to high powered, self-loading rifles to better control destructive pests such as camels and wild horses.

Farmers in WA say more powerful weapons will help them control feral animals more effectively and humanely
Police are totally opposed to allowing access to certain types of guns saying they could endanger the community
More than 140 recommendations made after a review of the state's gun laws have not been implemented by Government
Wiluna pastoralist Tim Carmody has shot more than 2,500 camels since the start of this year and more than 7,000 camels and horses since his family took over Prenti Downs Station four years ago.

He said the pests needed to be culled as they caused severe land degradation and competed with stock for water and food.

He said that higher-powered, self-loading firearms would allow for more humane control.

"It's all about the rate of fire, and when you get a mob of 20 to 30 camels you want to shoot them as quickly as you can," Mr Carmody said"

http://www.abc.net.au/cm/rimage/11726460-3x2-large.jpg?v=2[/img
http://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2019-11-22/farmers-call-for-more-firepower-to-fight-ferals-in-drought/11725546

The ABC being diligent seekers after truth somehow managed to come a few croppers in the article.

First one is the photo of the young bloke about to get a black eye from the scope sight.

The WA police have a real problem with reality if they think that WA farmers would "endanger the community". However, the number of horses and camels shot by the pastoralist named doesn't seem to indicate that he needs firearms different from the ones he is using now.

How would semi-automatic weapons be more "humane". More bullets being sprayed around, but more likely less accurately, more wounded animals?

How about the farmers stick to farming, and the government subsidies professional, full-time shooters with some of the money they are wasting on climate change and expensive, unreliable wind and solar power.

ttbn,

Semi-auto rifles allow a quick second shot if the first is not immediately effective and thus could be more humane, they also allow the second shot and subsequent ones to be quicker, for the average farmer, thus more pests can be killed.

The "Adopt a Camel" deal that was offered to the Greens fell on deaf ears, Sarah Hanson-Young has not adopted even one and DiNastaly won't discuss the matter.

Oh bloody brilliant idea.

Quote

Gun theft on rural properties is on the rise, according to police, adding more worries for farmers already concerned by drought and bushfires.

Queensland Police Detective Acting Superintendent Troy Pukallus said Operation Athena, a coordinated attempt by all police jurisdictions to target illegal firearms use and trafficking, had uncovered a rising national trend.

"We've identified that we've got concerning trends across each state, particularly the theft of firearms, both in remote rural communities, not only in Queensland [but] in other states of Australia," he said.

Queensland police say firearms are being stolen from farms and used by criminals as currency in the drug trade.

Nationally about 1,300 guns are reported stolen each year.

End quote
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-16/farmers-easy-targets-for-unsecured-guns-stolen-for-drug-trade/11700110

I wonder how much a highpowered weapon will fetch as currency in the drug trade? Pretty penny I would imagine.

Farmers inconvenience over arming our criminal classes.

Should be no contest for anyone who cares about the safety of Australians.

Then why doesn't the WA Police go out & shoot the feral animals ?

Steele,

Note that I said for the average farmer.

For many practical riflemen, semi-autos are too slow for follow up shots.
The venerable Lee Enfield .303 is faster than many semi-autos of comparable power and it is one of the most numerous bolt action rifles in Australia.

Even I, at my advanced age, can fire 15 aimed shots in 60 seconds from my single shot Martini Cadet rifle and it's nearing its 100th birthday.

As most criminals use cars why nor ban cars that can exceed 100kph
and only allow fast cars to the police and military?