Steep fines for lax gun owners

COLLIE Police are reminding locals there is a $400 fine for failing to renew a firearm licence.

Officer in charge Michelle Cornwall said it is an expensive penalty, but an important law to abide by.

“It is quite steep, and we definitely don’t enjoy giving out those large fines,” she said.

“But it is up to individuals to ensure their licence is renewed.”

The state government recently announced it will introduce mandatory mental health checks for WA gun owners.

It comes after 20 people were shot dead in WA last year. Poor mental health played a role in 50 percent of the deaths.

Senior sergeant Cornwall said she agrees with the new laws.

“It’s like your driver’s licence when you have to have a fitness check,” she said.

“Mental health is part of our physical being, and we need to make sure people are in the right space when they have access to firearms.”

Snr Sgt Cornwall said there are a number of factors to consider when licensing a firearm. “When you change address, you must notify the firearms licensing services. You are also required to complete a ‘form 22 storage statement’.

Both forms are available at the police station or on the WA Police website.”

She said it was important to remember that updating details with the Department of Transport would not update a firearms licence.

“The red identification card all licensees have is not their licence,” she said.

“It is identification for purchasing ammunition.

“Their actual licence is the paper copy, which must be with them whenever they carry their firearms.”

There are also laws dictating the transfer of firearms following a licence holder’s death.

“All firearms will be seized when a licence holder passes away,” she said.

“It is then up to the executor (of the Will) to decide what will happen to them. If the licence holder wants a specific person to receive the firearms, they must leave directions in either their Will or a letter directing the executor.”

If the person to receive the firearms is currently a licence holder, they should become a co-user so it can be transferred upon notification, she said.

VISITING: Italian Cecilia Bellini spent January in Collie visiting swimming spots and cooking at the Bylunds’ home after her original exchange trip was cancelled due to COVID-19.

Cecilia's far from home

NINETEEN-year-old Italian woman

Cecilia Bellini is experiencing Australian culture while living in Allanson.

Cecilia arrived in Australia on January 6 from her hometown Arlate, 60 kilometres from Milan in northern Italy.

She is living at John and Janine Bylund’s home while she plans her next adventure.

The Bylund family also hosted Cecilia’s older sister, Alice, during her Rotary exchange seven years ago.

Cecilia said she wanted to follow in Alice’s footsteps, and organised an exchange program in Australia.

However COVID-19 cancelled her plans.

In a last ditch effort to experience a different culture, she attempted to change her exchange destination to the Czech Republic, but that was also unavailable.

Last year the Bylunds sent Cecilia a letter, offering for her to live with them so she could experience life outside Italy.

She spent her first two weeks in Albany, holidaying with the Bylund family, and has spent a fortnight helping at their home.

She said she enjoys cooking, but has not developed a taste for vegemite.

“It looks like Nutella, so you think it will taste good - but it doesn’t,” she said.

Cecilia said she has also visited Black Diamond, the swimming pool and will soon begin work picking watermelons in Burekup.

While she is unsure how long she will stay in Australia, Cecilia has a long list of places she hopes she will be able to visit.

She is planning a short trip to Esperance, and would also like to visit the eastern states.