Firearms Act Reform podcast

Host Claire Ciantar is joined by Commander Lawrence Panaia APM – a veteran officer who has focussed on firearms reform over recent years.

Stay safe and stay informed.

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

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

For registration or changes in licensing, please visit: Firearms Portal.

Episode 1: An Introduction

Firearms Reform is a limited series WA Police Force podcast. Hosted by Commander Lawrence Panaia APM and Claire Ciantar, this series will serve to inform current and prospective firearms licence holders, landowners and the Western Australian public at large about the key changes in law and processes under the Firearms Act 2024.

Episode 2: Firearms Reform

This is the first full-length episode of the series. Commander Lawrence Panaia APM and Claire Ciantar discuss the Parliamentary committee review, everyday implications for licence holders, and the effect of Transitional Authorities in implementing the new requirements under the Firearms Act 2024.

Episode 3: The Portal

In this episode, Commander Lawrence Panaia APM and Claire Ciantar dive into the Firearms Portal – the new, singular way to apply, renew and manage firearm licences under the Firearms Act 2024. It steps through how to access the Portal and create an account using myID verification.

Episode 4: Property Registration

Commander Lawrence Panaia APM and Claire Ciantar provide clarification on the requirement for landowners to register a property via the Firearms Portal to lawfully issue hunting permissions under the Firearms Act 2024. It includes information on hunting permissions and temporary permissions.

Episode 5: Security and Storage

The focus of this episode is the new security and storage standards for firearms. Commander Lawrence Panaia APM and Claire Ciantar outline the different storage levels that have been created in the new legislation, in addition to highlighting the expansive grandfathering of existing licence holders into the new storage guidelines.

Episode 6: Health Standards

This episode, Commander Lawrence Panaia APM and Claire Ciantar describe the health examination process and the timeline for its implementation in relation to both existing and new licence holders. Costs, practicalities and physical requirements are all touched on.

Episode 7: Hunting Licences and Permissions

Commander Lawrence Panaia APM and Claire Ciantar are on the hunt... for licence holders unfamiliar with the new regulations regarding hunting permissions. Renewals are covered this episode, as are temporary permissions, and the actual process for issuing hunting permissions by landowners.

Episode 8: Firearms Amnesty

Commander Lawrence Panaia APM and Claire Ciantar highlight the permanent firearms amnesty in Western Australia. This episode provides an understanding of what the amnesty is, its purpose, how it works, and how it complements the Firearms Act 2024.

Episode 9: Firearms Portal

In this episode, Commander Lawrence Panaia APM and Claire Ciantar provide an update on the Firearms Portal. As the approved manner for all firearm licensing activities under the Firearms Act 2024, every applicant, licence holder, and landowner allowing hunting on their property will need to have a Portal account.

Episode 10: Licence Transitions

Commander Lawrence Panaia APM and Claire Ciantar talk about the firearms reform progress and transition into the new licensing framework since the Firearms Act 2024 came into effect on 31 March 2025. They outline options and key actions for Transitional Authority holders and expired licence holders.

Episode 11: Licence Types 

Did you know about the different types of licences under the Firearms Act 2024? Commander Lawrence Panaia APM and Claire Ciantar run through the eight licence types, demonstrating a genuine reason for owning or using a firearm, and the importance of relevant supporting evidence.

Episode 12: Firearms Training

In this episode, Commander Lawrence Panaia APM and Claire Ciantar dive into the mandatory firearms training implemented under the Firearms Act 2024. The theoretical and practical firearm safety training is now a requirement for new licence applicants.

Episode 13: Firearm Authority Health Examinations

Commander Lawrence Panaia APM and Claire Ciantar unpack another key part of the Firearms Act 2024: Firearm Authority Health Examinations, also referred to as Health Assessments. What are they, and what do they mean for new licence applicants and licence holders?

Episode 14: Young Persons and Firearms

Commander Lawrence Panaia APM and Claire Ciantar discuss how the new firearm laws apply to young people wanting to use a firearm in Western Australia. The episode outlines what is and isn’t allowed under the Firearms Act 2024 , and the immediate supervision requirement by an appropriately authorised adult.