PCYC air rifle programs across WA have been forced to close after being caught in the crossfire of the Cook government’s tough new gun laws.
Under the Firearms Act 2024, parents of young people aged 12 to 16 must remain at the PCYC’s firearm range while their kids shoot, which the organisation says has made it too difficult to manage.
“Recent legislative changes introduced by the WA government will significantly impact our ability to operate the air rifles program. As a result, it is no longer viable for PCYC to continue the program,” the organisation recently wrote to members.
• The Hilton PCYC has had to shut down its air rifle programs, and even had to turn away Scouts. Photo by Steve Grant
Too onerous
“The increased control and regulation around firearms mean it is now too onerous for PCYC to offer this activity.”
Lifetime member and past president of Fremantle PCYC Adrian Pardini, who has been shooting since the ‘80s, was disappointed to see the program go.
“(The air rifle program) was started to get kids to have an understanding of firearm safety but not only that, the other things that come with shooting; discipline, focus, concentration, patience – all those things that the shooting sport can bring to someone.
“You have to have all those things to be able to hit the target,” Mr Pardini said.
Joe Hall, owner of Lumos café in White Gum Valley, said three generations of his family had been involved in air rifle shooting and he was saddened by its demise.
“The responsibility learnt through handling air rifles helps the growth and development of young people,” Mr Hall said.
“I have never known there to be any air rifle accidents at a PCYC.
“I mean, you can’t have gun culture without safety culture.”
Fremantle PCYC told the Chook it had to turn away Scouts due to the new laws as it was not feasible to have the parents of all 20 kids hanging around while they practiced.
WA Nationals leader Shane Love said “upending decades of social and community use of firearms is completely unnecessary.
“You could not find a more safer place to use a firearm than a PCYC club, something that they have done for decades.
“The use of firearms for air rifle target shooting is hardly violent.
“It is a game of skill, a competition, a pastime, and in no way linked to violence.”
Mr Love said the PCYC programs were more than just sports; “they’re about providing our youth with opportunities and guidance, especially when they need it the most”.
WA police minister Reece Whitby said, “the firearm legislation elevates community safety above everything else.
“It is important to note that PCYC could have continued offering the program if they had chosen to transition their licence in accordance with the legislation.”
by ISLA TOMLINSON