Firearms Reform - Official WA Police Force Podcast

Health Standards

• Western Australia Police Force • Season 1 • Episode 6

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Welcome to Firearms Reform; an official WA Police Force Podcast.

This episode, describe the health examination process and the timeline for its implementation in relation to both existing and new license holders. Costs, practicalities and physical requirements are all touched on.

For any questions or queries related to the topics discussed on this podcast please contact our Licensing Enforcement Division at: 1800 894 474

You can find out more at: Licensing Services (Firearms)

For registration or changes in licensing please visit the portal: Firearms Portal

Claire:

Welcome to Firearms Reform, a WA Police Force series for the firearms community. I'm Claire Ciantar and I'm joined by Commander Lawrence Panaia to talk about new health standards for firearm authority holders. Now, Commander, can you tell us who actually needs to undergo a health exam?

Lawrence:

Yes, thank you, Claire. Well, all new applicants. So the new health assessments that need to be done under the new Act will apply to everybody that applies for a licence from this day forward. Exists Licence holders will need to as well, but we will stagger them through over the next five years.

Claire:

What is involved in the exam process?

Lawrence:

When you get onto our portal and download the health assessment forms, you'll find it's in three parts. There's part A, there's part B, and there's part C. Part A is your self-assessment, as you would normally do. And if anyone that's done a health assessment, you'll know you tick boxes and how much you drink and all that sort of stuff. Part B is what the GP will do. And part C is the result, which is the only part that comes back to WA Police.

Claire:

What are the standards that applicants need to meet when it comes to these health exams?

Lawrence:

The standards are the basics, really, that the applicant must be fit physically and mentally capable of using a firearm. So the motor skills you'd need to pick it up, aim it, shoot it, those sort of things, the real basics.

Claire:

Are there any costs associated with these exams?

Lawrence:

I would assume so. I would assume the GP would charge a fee for going to see your doctor. That's not something set by us. That'll be set by the GP themselves.

Claire:

Can these exams be done remotely? Obviously, WA is a very big state.

Lawrence:

Yep. So we've allowed for things like telehealth and those sort of providers to be involved as well. I would imagine that most of it can be done remotely, but there may be a component right at the end where I think you might need some in-person interaction.

Claire:

What happens, obviously, if someone doesn't pass one of these health exams?

Lawrence:

Great question, because it's actually not pass or fail. The three conditions that are on Part C that we will get is whether you meet the conditions, You meet the conditions with conditions, if you like, or you do not meet those conditions. So once we get that, that'll allow us to do an assessment on whether or not the firearm application can move forward.

Claire:

Now, it's pretty crucial to have these health exams documented. For anyone who owns a firearm or has a firearm license, why is it so important that people complete this as they should?

Lawrence:

Well, I think it's crucial to address any health issues. I think it's wise to be going to visit your GP regularly anyway. And what this does is allow you to make sure that your people are still safely able to handle firearms.

Claire:

Do you have any final tips for our listeners in relation to the health component of these new changes?

Lawrence:

Only that it will come your way. So whether you're going going to be a new applicant or an existing firearms license holder, those health assessments will be part of your ability to maintain your license into the future. So go see your GP when we ask you to and get those forms and get it done.

Claire:

Great advice. Thank you very much for joining me again today. Stay safe, stay informed and catch you next time on Firearms Reform.