After a shocking incident in which a teenager brought two rifles to a school in a Perth suburb and allegedly fired multiple shots, the Western Australia government has announced that they will be introducing ‘the toughest gun laws in Australia’.

Fortunately, no one was hurt during the incident.

Gun control reforms to take effect

However, this shocking event served as a wake-up call for the authorities, prompting Premier Mark McGowan to push for major reforms to the current gun control laws (also known as the Firearms Act) across the state.

Acknowledging that this is not a situation one would typically associate with Australia, Mr McGowan recognised the urgency of addressing gun control and reducing the number of firearms throughout the state.

Reforms will take place sometime this year. Credit: Somchai Kongkamsri/Pexels

In a statement to the public, he said: ‘This is the thing you see on television in the United States. We are moving as quickly as we can to dramatically reform gun laws.’

Premier McGowan also highlighted that there are currently 360,000 licensed firearms in the state, with numbers having increased significantly in recent years.

‘That's far too many,’ he shared.

‘We need to stop ourselves [from] falling into that terrible abyss that America has fallen into.’

While McGowan did not go into the specific details of the reforms, he made it clear that firearm licenses should only be held by people with ‘legitimate reasons’.

He also revealed that the reforms are expected to be implemented later this year.

A teenage boy was arrested after allegedly 'firing a gun' at a college. Credit: Ivan Samkov/Pexels

According to reports on the case, a 15-year-old boy allegedly fired three shots at a college just before noon on Wednesday. He was quickly apprehended before anyone was injured.

Police officers at the scene allege that he had two high-powered rifles and ammunition inside the car he was driving.

Students who were at the school spoke to reporters about their experience.

‘They had the curtains over the windows, and we couldn’t see, but they didn’t block off the door so we could see all the police coming and the ambulance,’ one girl said.

Another girl shared that she heard a ‘big bang’ before her teacher told them to hide under their desks, while one student said they hid in a storage room.

Atlantis Beach Baptist College Board Chair Mike Smith proclaimed that the school would remain closed until Friday under a modified teaching program in response to the incident. He also said there would be support staff and counselling services on site.

The college will reopen at full capacity on Monday.

Impact of gun-related incidents in the US

‘You never think this would happen here, in Western Australia, in Two Rocks of all places,’ Mr McGowan explained.

‘In my view, the problem with America is the prevalence of guns, and they have no appetite to deal with it – but we're going to deal with it.’

This year alone, there have been more than 200 mass shootings across America, 23 of which occurred within school premises resulting in injuries or deaths.

‘If kids can get access to keys to access firearms, that's not good enough. They should not be able to get access to any firearms,’ he claimed.

It's clear that our Australian government leaders do not wish to follow in the footsteps of America when it comes to firearm accessibility and associated violence.

Swift response from WA police officers praised

Staff at Atlantis Beach Baptist College (where the incident took place) praised the police officers on the scene for their prompt and professional response to the shooting incident.

While the alleged shooter’s motive is still unclear, it is believed that he was a former student. Mr McGowan confirmed that the teenager is still in police custody.

'In terms of the staff and students, I'd like to congratulate them on their bravery. They acted appropriately and with the utmost caution,’ he added.

He also expressed his gratitude towards the first police responders, who ‘arrived on the scene to what could have been a very, very difficult situation’.

Mr McGowan also acknowledged that the upcoming gun control reforms would not please everyone. However, he said he remains committed to reducing the number of guns in the state despite potential criticism.

‘Some people will be very angry about it, but we have to make sure there are fewer guns,’ he concluded.

Key Takeaways

• The ‘toughest gun laws in Australia’ will be imposed in Western Australia after a 15-year-old boy allegedly fired a rifle on school grounds.
• WA Premier Mark McGowan vowed to reform the Firearms Act to reduce the number of guns in the state.
• Mr McGowan did not disclose specific reforms but said licenses should only be held by people with 'legitimate reasons'.
• The reforms are expected to be implemented later this year in an effort to prevent incidents like the recent school shooting.

What are your thoughts on this issue? Do you think further reforms will bring positive change? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

 

[Thecheesequeen]

No-one, with the exception perhaps of farmers, needs to own a gun.

 

[Gsr]

How could this child get access to the guns and to a car. Guns are supposed to be in locked gun cupboards with only the licence holder having access to the keys. Hopefully the parents will be charged as well over this incident.

 

[MariaG]

I have always disliked the idea of anyone using a gun, whether for hunting (horrible passtime), or recreation (shooting is recreational???). Unfortunately, whilst there are restrictions, there will always be a black market.
As far as kids getting their hands on guns, throw the book at the parents/adults that are so irresponsible that this can happen at all.
In America, there are those who spout the old chestnut "the right to bear arms". I'm just glad I don't live in America.

 

[Stillwaters18]

After a shocking incident in which a teenager brought two rifles to a school in a Perth suburb and allegedly fired multiple shots, the Western Australia government has announced that they will be introducing ‘the toughest gun laws in Australia’.

Fortunately, no one was hurt during the incident.

Gun control reforms to take effect

However, this shocking event served as a wake-up call for the authorities, prompting Premier Mark McGowan to push for major reforms to the current gun control laws (also known as the Firearms Act) across the state.

Acknowledging that this is not a situation one would typically associate with Australia, Mr McGowan recognised the urgency of addressing gun control and reducing the number of firearms throughout the state.

View attachment 20732

Reforms will take place sometime this year. Credit: Somchai Kongkamsri/Pexels

In a statement to the public, he said: ‘This is the thing you see on television in the United States. We are moving as quickly as we can to dramatically reform gun laws.’

Premier McGowan also highlighted that there are currently 360,000 licensed firearms in the state, with numbers having increased significantly in recent years.

‘That's far too many,’ he shared.

‘We need to stop ourselves [from] falling into that terrible abyss that America has fallen into.’

While McGowan did not go into the specific details of the reforms, he made it clear that firearm licenses should only be held by people with ‘legitimate reasons’.

He also revealed that the reforms are expected to be implemented later this year.

View attachment 20733

A teenage boy was arrested after allegedly 'firing a gun' at a college. Credit: Ivan Samkov/Pexels

According to reports on the case, a 15-year-old boy allegedly fired three shots at a college just before noon on Wednesday. He was quickly apprehended before anyone was injured.

Police officers at the scene allege that he had two high-powered rifles and ammunition inside the car he was driving.

Students who were at the school spoke to reporters about their experience.

‘They had the curtains over the windows, and we couldn’t see, but they didn’t block off the door so we could see all the police coming and the ambulance,’ one girl said.

Another girl shared that she heard a ‘big bang’ before her teacher told them to hide under their desks, while one student said they hid in a storage room.

Atlantis Beach Baptist College Board Chair Mike Smith proclaimed that the school would remain closed until Friday under a modified teaching program in response to the incident. He also said there would be support staff and counselling services on site.

The college will reopen at full capacity on Monday.

Impact of gun-related incidents in the US

‘You never think this would happen here, in Western Australia, in Two Rocks of all places,’ Mr McGowan explained.

‘In my view, the problem with America is the prevalence of guns, and they have no appetite to deal with it – but we're going to deal with it.’

This year alone, there have been more than 200 mass shootings across America, 23 of which occurred within school premises resulting in injuries or deaths.

‘If kids can get access to keys to access firearms, that's not good enough. They should not be able to get access to any firearms,’ he claimed.

It's clear that our Australian government leaders do not wish to follow in the footsteps of America when it comes to firearm accessibility and associated violence.

Swift response from WA police officers praised

Staff at Atlantis Beach Baptist College (where the incident took place) praised the police officers on the scene for their prompt and professional response to the shooting incident.

While the alleged shooter’s motive is still unclear, it is believed that he was a former student. Mr McGowan confirmed that the teenager is still in police custody.

'In terms of the staff and students, I'd like to congratulate them on their bravery. They acted appropriately and with the utmost caution,’ he added.

He also expressed his gratitude towards the first police responders, who ‘arrived on the scene to what could have been a very, very difficult situation’.

Mr McGowan also acknowledged that the upcoming gun control reforms would not please everyone. However, he said he remains committed to reducing the number of guns in the state despite potential criticism.

‘Some people will be very angry about it, but we have to make sure there are fewer guns,’ he concluded.

Key Takeaways

• The ‘toughest gun laws in Australia’ will be imposed in Western Australia after a 15-year-old boy allegedly fired a rifle on school grounds.
• WA Premier Mark McGowan vowed to reform the Firearms Act to reduce the number of guns in the state.
• Mr McGowan did not disclose specific reforms but said licenses should only be held by people with 'legitimate reasons'.
• The reforms are expected to be implemented later this year in an effort to prevent incidents like the recent school shooting.

What are your thoughts on this issue? Do you think further reforms will bring positive change? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Hi guys, it is important not to run into hysterics about this incident until all the information has become available. From the report above it appears the student was driving a car, so we can assume he was about 18 or older. It sounds like he was armed with some long arms not handguns. The local police seem to have diffused the incident fairly quickly and safely. Let us all be thankful for a good response and outcome. The question to ask is was the perpetrator licensed and where the firearms registered. We have good firearm laws and regulations here in Australia, that on the whole make it hard to legally possess and use guns. There is a criminal element who manages to get around the laws but they are not the norm among the shooting fraternity.

P.J.Ward, S.A.

 

[Aussie all the Way]

This age group 15-20, I was wishing that they would be smart enough to know what to copy from America and what not to, BUT alas they really are STUPID. Why on earth would anyone want to do something like that. People!!!! America IS NOT THE COUNTRY TO ASPIRE TO, get it in your head THEY ARE A PACK OF MORONS, just look at the shootings they have over there.

 

[Gsr]

Hi guys, it is important not to run into hysterics about this incident until all the information has become available. From the report above it appears the student was driving a car, so we can assume he was about 18 or older. It sounds like he was armed with some long arms not handguns. The local police seem to have diffused the incident fairly quickly and safely. Let us all be thankful for a good response and outcome. The question to ask is was the perpetrator licensed and where the firearms registered. We have good firearm laws and regulations here in Australia, that on the whole make it hard to legally possess and use guns. There is a criminal element who manages to get around the laws but they are not the norm among the shooting fraternity.

P.J.Ward, S.A.

According to reports he was 15, far too young to be licensed for a gun or a car. The gun owner needs to be held accountable since the laws require guns to be locked in gun cabinets with only the licence holder having access to the cabinet. At 15 this person is old enough to know what is right and wrong, but I suspect he will have “mental issues” that made him do it.

 

[pascoevale]

After a shocking incident in which a teenager brought two rifles to a school in a Perth suburb and allegedly fired multiple shots, the Western Australia government has announced that they will be introducing ‘the toughest gun laws in Australia’.

Fortunately, no one was hurt during the incident.

Gun control reforms to take effect

However, this shocking event served as a wake-up call for the authorities, prompting Premier Mark McGowan to push for major reforms to the current gun control laws (also known as the Firearms Act) across the state.

Acknowledging that this is not a situation one would typically associate with Australia, Mr McGowan recognised the urgency of addressing gun control and reducing the number of firearms throughout the state.

View attachment 20732

Reforms will take place sometime this year. Credit: Somchai Kongkamsri/Pexels

In a statement to the public, he said: ‘This is the thing you see on television in the United States. We are moving as quickly as we can to dramatically reform gun laws.’

Premier McGowan also highlighted that there are currently 360,000 licensed firearms in the state, with numbers having increased significantly in recent years.

‘That's far too many,’ he shared.

‘We need to stop ourselves [from] falling into that terrible abyss that America has fallen into.’

While McGowan did not go into the specific details of the reforms, he made it clear that firearm licenses should only be held by people with ‘legitimate reasons’.

He also revealed that the reforms are expected to be implemented later this year.

View attachment 20733

A teenage boy was arrested after allegedly 'firing a gun' at a college. Credit: Ivan Samkov/Pexels

According to reports on the case, a 15-year-old boy allegedly fired three shots at a college just before noon on Wednesday. He was quickly apprehended before anyone was injured.

Police officers at the scene allege that he had two high-powered rifles and ammunition inside the car he was driving.

Students who were at the school spoke to reporters about their experience.

‘They had the curtains over the windows, and we couldn’t see, but they didn’t block off the door so we could see all the police coming and the ambulance,’ one girl said.

Another girl shared that she heard a ‘big bang’ before her teacher told them to hide under their desks, while one student said they hid in a storage room.

Atlantis Beach Baptist College Board Chair Mike Smith proclaimed that the school would remain closed until Friday under a modified teaching program in response to the incident. He also said there would be support staff and counselling services on site.

The college will reopen at full capacity on Monday.

Impact of gun-related incidents in the US

‘You never think this would happen here, in Western Australia, in Two Rocks of all places,’ Mr McGowan explained.

‘In my view, the problem with America is the prevalence of guns, and they have no appetite to deal with it – but we're going to deal with it.’

This year alone, there have been more than 200 mass shootings across America, 23 of which occurred within school premises resulting in injuries or deaths.

‘If kids can get access to keys to access firearms, that's not good enough. They should not be able to get access to any firearms,’ he claimed.

It's clear that our Australian government leaders do not wish to follow in the footsteps of America when it comes to firearm accessibility and associated violence.

Swift response from WA police officers praised

Staff at Atlantis Beach Baptist College (where the incident took place) praised the police officers on the scene for their prompt and professional response to the shooting incident.

While the alleged shooter’s motive is still unclear, it is believed that he was a former student. Mr McGowan confirmed that the teenager is still in police custody.

'In terms of the staff and students, I'd like to congratulate them on their bravery. They acted appropriately and with the utmost caution,’ he added.

He also expressed his gratitude towards the first police responders, who ‘arrived on the scene to what could have been a very, very difficult situation’.

Mr McGowan also acknowledged that the upcoming gun control reforms would not please everyone. However, he said he remains committed to reducing the number of guns in the state despite potential criticism.

‘Some people will be very angry about it, but we have to make sure there are fewer guns,’ he concluded.

Key Takeaways

• The ‘toughest gun laws in Australia’ will be imposed in Western Australia after a 15-year-old boy allegedly fired a rifle on school grounds.
• WA Premier Mark McGowan vowed to reform the Firearms Act to reduce the number of guns in the state.
• Mr McGowan did not disclose specific reforms but said licenses should only be held by people with 'legitimate reasons'.
• The reforms are expected to be implemented later this year in an effort to prevent incidents like the recent school shooting.

What are your thoughts on this issue? Do you think further reforms will bring positive change? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Massacre hear it comes. What is a 15yo doing with guns where are they from and what his car at 15 yo come on where are the parents his father assuming he got the guns from home if not where /who from don’t roll the mental health bit out get the truth out next people will be killed look at America should we go down that path remember the port Arthur massacre. you can’t blame mental heat on everthing

According to reports he was 15, far too young to be licensed for a gun or a car. The gun owner needs to be held accountable since the laws require guns to be locked in gun cabinets with only the licence holder having access to the cabinet. At 15 this person is old enough to know what is right and wrong, but I suspect he will have “mental issues” that made him do it.

have to stop the mental health crutch vine er use to be such a thing. If you drink drive and get caught why not a mental health issue I’m not responsible

 

[Suzanne rose]

Hi guys, it is important not to run into hysterics about this incident until all the information has become available. From the report above it appears the student was driving a car, so we can assume he was about 18 or older. It sounds like he was armed with some long arms not handguns. The local police seem to have diffused the incident fairly quickly and safely. Let us all be thankful for a good response and outcome. The question to ask is was the perpetrator licensed and where the firearms registered. We have good firearm laws and regulations here in Australia, that on the whole make it hard to legally possess and use guns. There is a criminal element who manages to get around the laws but they are not the norm among the shooting fraternity.

P.J.Ward, S.A.

The reports state he was 15 !!

 

[Suzanne rose]

It's not easy to get a gun licence but it's not too hard. Both my sons have a gun licence but thank goodness they didn't buy guns.
I'm so against it, they did get their licence to go hunting , which again I'm against this we have enough meat in the butchers.

If they purchased a gun it needed to be kept in a safe which is bolted to the floor and open to random police checks.
So I'm guessing not that hard for a 15 year old to use their father's gun if the father was stupid enough to let his son know the password to the safe.

To me there is no reason to have a gun maybe exceptions to farmers

 

[pascoevale]

Hi guys, it is important not to run into hysterics about this incident until all the information has become available. From the report above it appears the student was driving a car, so we can assume he was about 18 or older. It sounds like he was armed with some long arms not handguns. The local police seem to have diffused the incident fairly quickly and safely. Let us all be thankful for a good response and outcome. The question to ask is was the perpetrator licensed and where the firearms registered. We have good firearm laws and regulations here in Australia, that on the whole make it hard to legally possess and use guns. There is a criminal element who manages to get around the laws but they are not the norm among the shooting fraternity.

P.J.Ward, S.A.

Um. In sue you missed it he was 15 years old now if he was 18 + why would he be a school why lie about age and you are in london

 

[Luckyus]

Another State Premier that can't fart without shitting himself.

 

[Luckyus]

It's not easy to get a gun licence but it's not too hard. Both my sons have a gun licence but thank goodness they didn't buy guns.
I'm so against it, they did get their licence to go hunting , which again I'm against this we have enough meat in the butchers.

If they purchased a gun it needed to be kept in a safe which is bolted to the floor and open to random police checks.
So I'm guessing not that hard for a 15 year old to use their father's gun in the father was stupid enough to let his son know the password to the safe.

To me there is no reason to have a gun maybe exceptions to farmers

When my brothers and I got into shooting, we were given one of two choices regarding the weapons/rifles we had. Choice (1) The bolt and any paraphrenalia was taken out and given to my father it was either that or the weapon concenred. Failure to do to follow this rule would result in the barrel being put in the vice and having the barrel bent, with a six month ban on owning another weapon.

 

[Suzanne rose]

When my brothers and I got into shooting, we were given one of two choices regarding the weapons/rifles we had. Choice (1) The bolt and any paraphrenalia was taken out and given to my father it was either that or the weapon concenred. Failure to do to follow this rule would result in the barrel being put in the vice and having the barrel bent, with a six month ban on owning another weapon.

Wise father

 

[Tabby]

Hi guys, it is important not to run into hysterics about this incident until all the information has become available. From the report above it appears the student was driving a car, so we can assume he was about 18 or older. It sounds like he was armed with some long arms not handguns. The local police seem to have diffused the incident fairly quickly and safely. Let us all be thankful for a good response and outcome. The question to ask is was the perpetrator licensed and where the firearms registered. We have good firearm laws and regulations here in Australia, that on the whole make it hard to legally possess and use guns. There is a criminal element who manages to get around the laws but they are not the norm among the shooting fraternity.

P.J.Ward, S.A.

The shooter boy was 15 years old. There is no justification for what has happened whatsoever! It's a shockingly horrific event where very fortunately noone was injured or killed. apparently there were 3 shots fired directly, and inside of the car were found several guns and many rounds of ammunition. There is no minimising this. We hear about the out of control situation in the US with the 'thoughts and prayers' routine after each tragedy and nothing else done on repeat! We are not the US thankyou God!

 

[philg]

It's not easy to get a gun licence but it's not too hard. Both my sons have a gun licence but thank goodness they didn't buy guns.
I'm so against it, they did get their licence to go hunting , which again I'm against this we have enough meat in the butchers.

If they purchased a gun it needed to be kept in a safe which is bolted to the floor and open to random police checks.
So I'm guessing not that hard for a 15 year old to use their father's gun if the father was stupid enough to let his son know the password to the safe.

To me there is no reason to have a gun maybe exceptions to farmers

wait till another country decides to invade australia ,,,,what are you going to do take up arms ///broom,s /pitch forks/ shovels /rakes ,,,,,,there is not enough navy/army/air force personal here in Australia to save us

 

[Tipsy]

After a shocking incident in which a teenager brought two rifles to a school in a Perth suburb and allegedly fired multiple shots, the Western Australia government has announced that they will be introducing ‘the toughest gun laws in Australia’.

Fortunately, no one was hurt during the incident.

Gun control reforms to take effect

However, this shocking event served as a wake-up call for the authorities, prompting Premier Mark McGowan to push for major reforms to the current gun control laws (also known as the Firearms Act) across the state.

Acknowledging that this is not a situation one would typically associate with Australia, Mr McGowan recognised the urgency of addressing gun control and reducing the number of firearms throughout the state.

View attachment 20732

Reforms will take place sometime this year. Credit: Somchai Kongkamsri/Pexels

In a statement to the public, he said: ‘This is the thing you see on television in the United States. We are moving as quickly as we can to dramatically reform gun laws.’

Premier McGowan also highlighted that there are currently 360,000 licensed firearms in the state, with numbers having increased significantly in recent years.

‘That's far too many,’ he shared.

‘We need to stop ourselves [from] falling into that terrible abyss that America has fallen into.’

While McGowan did not go into the specific details of the reforms, he made it clear that firearm licenses should only be held by people with ‘legitimate reasons’.

He also revealed that the reforms are expected to be implemented later this year.

View attachment 20733

A teenage boy was arrested after allegedly 'firing a gun' at a college. Credit: Ivan Samkov/Pexels

According to reports on the case, a 15-year-old boy allegedly fired three shots at a college just before noon on Wednesday. He was quickly apprehended before anyone was injured.

Police officers at the scene allege that he had two high-powered rifles and ammunition inside the car he was driving.

Students who were at the school spoke to reporters about their experience.

‘They had the curtains over the windows, and we couldn’t see, but they didn’t block off the door so we could see all the police coming and the ambulance,’ one girl said.

Another girl shared that she heard a ‘big bang’ before her teacher told them to hide under their desks, while one student said they hid in a storage room.

Atlantis Beach Baptist College Board Chair Mike Smith proclaimed that the school would remain closed until Friday under a modified teaching program in response to the incident. He also said there would be support staff and counselling services on site.

The college will reopen at full capacity on Monday.

Impact of gun-related incidents in the US

‘You never think this would happen here, in Western Australia, in Two Rocks of all places,’ Mr McGowan explained.

‘In my view, the problem with America is the prevalence of guns, and they have no appetite to deal with it – but we're going to deal with it.’

This year alone, there have been more than 200 mass shootings across America, 23 of which occurred within school premises resulting in injuries or deaths.

‘If kids can get access to keys to access firearms, that's not good enough. They should not be able to get access to any firearms,’ he claimed.

It's clear that our Australian government leaders do not wish to follow in the footsteps of America when it comes to firearm accessibility and associated violence.

Swift response from WA police officers praised

Staff at Atlantis Beach Baptist College (where the incident took place) praised the police officers on the scene for their prompt and professional response to the shooting incident.

While the alleged shooter’s motive is still unclear, it is believed that he was a former student. Mr McGowan confirmed that the teenager is still in police custody.

'In terms of the staff and students, I'd like to congratulate them on their bravery. They acted appropriately and with the utmost caution,’ he added.

He also expressed his gratitude towards the first police responders, who ‘arrived on the scene to what could have been a very, very difficult situation’.

Mr McGowan also acknowledged that the upcoming gun control reforms would not please everyone. However, he said he remains committed to reducing the number of guns in the state despite potential criticism.

‘Some people will be very angry about it, but we have to make sure there are fewer guns,’ he concluded.

Key Takeaways

• The ‘toughest gun laws in Australia’ will be imposed in Western Australia after a 15-year-old boy allegedly fired a rifle on school grounds.
• WA Premier Mark McGowan vowed to reform the Firearms Act to reduce the number of guns in the state.
• Mr McGowan did not disclose specific reforms but said licenses should only be held by people with 'legitimate reasons'.
• The reforms are expected to be implemented later this year in an effort to prevent incidents like the recent school shooting.

What are your thoughts on this issue? Do you think further reforms will bring positive change? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

what a moronic panic merchant McGowan is, thank F I dont live in WA

 

[POG]

After a shocking incident in which a teenager brought two rifles to a school in a Perth suburb and allegedly fired multiple shots, the Western Australia government has announced that they will be introducing ‘the toughest gun laws in Australia’.

Fortunately, no one was hurt during the incident.

Gun control reforms to take effect

However, this shocking event served as a wake-up call for the authorities, prompting Premier Mark McGowan to push for major reforms to the current gun control laws (also known as the Firearms Act) across the state.

Acknowledging that this is not a situation one would typically associate with Australia, Mr McGowan recognised the urgency of addressing gun control and reducing the number of firearms throughout the state.

View attachment 20732

Reforms will take place sometime this year. Credit: Somchai Kongkamsri/Pexels

In a statement to the public, he said: ‘This is the thing you see on television in the United States. We are moving as quickly as we can to dramatically reform gun laws.’

Premier McGowan also highlighted that there are currently 360,000 licensed firearms in the state, with numbers having increased significantly in recent years.

‘That's far too many,’ he shared.

‘We need to stop ourselves [from] falling into that terrible abyss that America has fallen into.’

While McGowan did not go into the specific details of the reforms, he made it clear that firearm licenses should only be held by people with ‘legitimate reasons’.

He also revealed that the reforms are expected to be implemented later this year.

View attachment 20733

A teenage boy was arrested after allegedly 'firing a gun' at a college. Credit: Ivan Samkov/Pexels

According to reports on the case, a 15-year-old boy allegedly fired three shots at a college just before noon on Wednesday. He was quickly apprehended before anyone was injured.

Police officers at the scene allege that he had two high-powered rifles and ammunition inside the car he was driving.

Students who were at the school spoke to reporters about their experience.

‘They had the curtains over the windows, and we couldn’t see, but they didn’t block off the door so we could see all the police coming and the ambulance,’ one girl said.

Another girl shared that she heard a ‘big bang’ before her teacher told them to hide under their desks, while one student said they hid in a storage room.

Atlantis Beach Baptist College Board Chair Mike Smith proclaimed that the school would remain closed until Friday under a modified teaching program in response to the incident. He also said there would be support staff and counselling services on site.

The college will reopen at full capacity on Monday.

Impact of gun-related incidents in the US

‘You never think this would happen here, in Western Australia, in Two Rocks of all places,’ Mr McGowan explained.

‘In my view, the problem with America is the prevalence of guns, and they have no appetite to deal with it – but we're going to deal with it.’

This year alone, there have been more than 200 mass shootings across America, 23 of which occurred within school premises resulting in injuries or deaths.

‘If kids can get access to keys to access firearms, that's not good enough. They should not be able to get access to any firearms,’ he claimed.

It's clear that our Australian government leaders do not wish to follow in the footsteps of America when it comes to firearm accessibility and associated violence.

Swift response from WA police officers praised

Staff at Atlantis Beach Baptist College (where the incident took place) praised the police officers on the scene for their prompt and professional response to the shooting incident.

While the alleged shooter’s motive is still unclear, it is believed that he was a former student. Mr McGowan confirmed that the teenager is still in police custody.

'In terms of the staff and students, I'd like to congratulate them on their bravery. They acted appropriately and with the utmost caution,’ he added.

He also expressed his gratitude towards the first police responders, who ‘arrived on the scene to what could have been a very, very difficult situation’.

Mr McGowan also acknowledged that the upcoming gun control reforms would not please everyone. However, he said he remains committed to reducing the number of guns in the state despite potential criticism.

‘Some people will be very angry about it, but we have to make sure there are fewer guns,’ he concluded.

Key Takeaways

• The ‘toughest gun laws in Australia’ will be imposed in Western Australia after a 15-year-old boy allegedly fired a rifle on school grounds.
• WA Premier Mark McGowan vowed to reform the Firearms Act to reduce the number of guns in the state.
• Mr McGowan did not disclose specific reforms but said licenses should only be held by people with 'legitimate reasons'.
• The reforms are expected to be implemented later this year in an effort to prevent incidents like the recent school shooting.

What are your thoughts on this issue? Do you think further reforms will bring positive change? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

How did the teenager get a hold of the high-power rifles? To whom do these rifles belong too and why weren't they locked up? The owner of these guns should also be prosecuted for not securing the guns. His gun license should be revoked indefinitely for being irresponsible. Any teenager should never have access to guns.

 

[Kavenette]

The incident in Perth is definitely shocking, and it’s understandable that the WA government is pushing for stricter gun laws. It’s surprising to hear about something like this happening in Australia, which typically has pretty stringent gun control. Premier McGowan's move to reform the Firearms Act shows how seriously they’re taking it.
If you're still hunting for more info on gun laws and related topics, I have a suggestion. You should check out this info about guns that I recently came across; they have some interesting points and insights. You can find more details at https://gunsdomain.com/

 

[MariaG]

Pondering this situation has brought me to the world of gaming and super violent movies..etc.
It disturbs me to see some of the games that kids play incorporating firearms, blood lust and just plain violence.
I am hearing more and more on the news about young people involved in violent crime, gang mentality and robbery with violence.
Could the root of this evil stem from over exposure to these things that make their adrenalin pump.
When my boys were teens, I ruled with an iron fist regarding video games and their pass times. They turned out pretty OK and are passing on the disciplines to their kids.
It saddens me to think that the tolerance levels of parents has possibly slipped through the cracks.
Today is a whole new ball game.