Firearms Act 2024
Weapons Act 1999
Police Regulations Amendment (Significant Defence Events) Regulations 2026
Firearms Act 2024
Weapons Act 1999
Police Regulations Amendment (Significant Defence Events) Regulations 2026
Western Australia
Police Regulations Amendment (Significant Defence Events) Regulations 2026
Contents
Part 1 — Preliminary
1.Citation1
2.Commencement1
Part 2 — Firearms Regulations 2024 amended
3.Regulations amended2
4.Regulation 3 amended2
5.Part 4 Division 1 heading inserted2
Division 1 — Preliminary
6.Regulation 212 replaced2
212.Terms used2
7.Part 4 Division 2 heading inserted3
Division 2 — Permits for holders of equivalent authorities
8.Part 4 Division 3 inserted4
Division 3 — Permits for significant defence events
215A.Minister may determine that event is significant defence event4
215B.Grant of permits under this Division4
215C.Permits for firearms at significant defence events (Act s. 119 and 134)4
215D.Permits for major firearm parts at significant defence events (Act s. 134)5
215E.Permits for ammunition at significant defence events (Act s. 134)6
215F.Approval for prohibited ammunition at significant defence events (Act s. 120)6
215G.Approval of prohibited accessories for firearms at significant defence events (Act s. 121)7
215H.Permits for prohibited accessories at significant defence events (Act s. 134)7
215I.Permits for firearm technology at significant defence events (Act s. 134)8
215J.Permits for remote use devices at significant defence events9
215K.Extension of authority conferred by permits under this Division: associated persons involved in defence event activity of permit holders (Act s. 122)9
215L.Extension of authority conferred by permits under this Division: persons attending significant defence events (Act s. 122)10
215M.Extension of authority conferred by permits under r. 215C to use firearms: persons attending significant defence events (Act s. 122)11
215N.Exemptions from operation of Act s. 258 and 259 (Act s. 17)12
9.Part 4 Division 4 heading inserted12
Division 4 — Miscellaneous possession permits
10.Part 4 Division 5 heading inserted13
Division 5 — Miscellaneous
11.Regulation 218 amended13
12.Regulation 256 amended13
13.Regulation 257 amended13
14.Regulation 258 amended14
Part 3 — Weapons Regulations 1999 amended
15.Regulations amended15
16.Regulation 15 inserted15
15.People connected with significant defence events excepted from Act s. 6, 6A(1) and 7(1)15
Firearms Act 2024
Weapons Act 1999
Police Regulations Amendment (Significant Defence Events) Regulations 2026
Made by the Governor in Executive Council.
These regulations come into operation as follows —
(a)Part 1 — on the day on which these regulations are published on the WA legislation website;
(b)the rest of the regulations — on the day after that day.
Part 2 — Firearms Regulations 2024 amended
This Part amends the Firearms Regulations 2024.
In regulation 3 insert in alphabetical order:
remote use device has the meaning given in section 290 of the Act;
5.Part 4 Division 1 heading inserted
At the beginning of Part 4 insert:
Delete regulation 212 and insert:
In this Part —
associated person, for a permit under Division 3, means a person approved under regulation 215K(3) to be an associated person for the permit;
defence event means a trade fair, exhibition, show or other event that relates to, or is connected with, the defence industry;
defence event activity means —
(a)displaying, exhibiting or demonstrating firearms or related things, firearm technology or remote use devices at a significant defence event; or
(b)any other activity (whether carried out before, during or after a significant defence event) that is ancillary or incidental to an activity referred to in paragraph (a);
permit holder includes, for a permit held by a body corporate, partnership or Government entity, the responsible person for the permit;
registered attendee, in relation to a significant defence event, means a person who is registered by the organiser of the event to attend the event;
significant defence event means a defence event determined under regulation 215A(1) to be a significant defence event.
7.Part 4 Division 2 heading inserted
After regulation 212 insert:
Division 2 — Permits for holders of equivalent authorities
After regulation 215 insert:
Division 3 — Permits for significant defence events
215A.Minister may determine that event is significant defence event
(1)If the Minister considers that a defence event to be held in the State is of particular significance to the State, the Minister may determine that the event is a significant defence event.
(2)A determination by the Minister under subregulation (1) must be given to the Commissioner and published in the Gazette.
215B.Grant of permits under this Division
A permit under this Division may be granted to an individual, a body corporate, a partnership or a Government entity.
215C.Permits for firearms at significant defence events (Act s. 119 and 134)
(1)The Commissioner may grant a permit to authorise the permit holder to do either or both of the following for the purposes of, or in connection with, the carrying out of a defence event activity by the permit holder —
(a)possess any firearm to which the permit applies;
(b)use any firearm to which the permit applies for the purposes of testing it or demonstrating its use.
(2)A permit granted under subregulation (1) applies to 1 or more specific firearms, each of which is uniquely identified by the permit as a firearm to which the permit applies.
(3)For the purposes of section 119 of the Act, a permit granted under subregulation (1) may apply to a firearm that is a prohibited firearm.
Notes for this regulation:
1.Under section 14(2) of the Act, a permit under this regulation that authorises the possession of a firearm also authorises the possession of the major firearm parts that comprise the firearm.
2.Under sections 108 and 127 of the Act, a permit under this regulation that authorises the use of a firearm also authorises the possession and use of ammunition for the firearm for the purposes of the use of the firearm as authorised by the permit.
3.Under sections 109 and 127 of the Act, a permit under this regulation that authorises the possession of a firearm also authorises the possession of ammunition for the firearm.
4.However, the authority provided by sections 108, 109 and 127 of the Act to possess or use ammunition will not authorise the possession or use of prohibited ammunition unless the possession or use has been approved under regulation 215F: see section 120 of the Act.
215D.Permits for major firearm parts at significant defence events (Act s. 134)
(1)The Commissioner may grant a permit to authorise the permit holder to possess any major firearm part to which the permit applies for the purposes of, or in connection with, the carrying out of a defence event activity by the permit holder.
(2)A permit granted under subregulation (1) applies to either or both of the following —
(a)1 or more specific major firearm parts, each of which is uniquely identified by the permit as a major firearm part to which the permit applies;
(b)1 or more types of major firearm part specified in the permit.
215E.Permits for ammunition at significant defence events (Act s. 134)
(1)The Commissioner may grant a permit to authorise the permit holder to possess ammunition to which the permit applies for the purposes of, or in connection with, the carrying out of a defence event activity by the permit holder.
(2)A permit granted under subregulation (1) applies to 1 or more types of ammunition specified in the permit.
(3)A permit granted under subregulation (1) may apply to prohibited ammunition approved for the permit under regulation 215F.
215F.Approval for prohibited ammunition at significant defence events (Act s. 120)
(1)For the purposes of section 120 of the Act, a permit holder under, or a person making an application for a permit under, regulation 215C or 215E may apply to the Commissioner for approval to possess or use prohibited ammunition.
(2)The Commissioner must not grant the approval unless the Commissioner is satisfied that the possession or use is for the purposes of, or in connection with, the carrying out of the defence event activity to which the permit relates.
(3)If the approval is granted, the permit authorises the possession or use of prohibited ammunition as specified in the approval.
215G.Approval of prohibited accessories for firearms at significant defence events (Act s. 121)
(1)In this regulation —
suitable for has the meaning given in section 258(1) of the Act.
(2)For the purposes of section 121(1)(b) of the Act, a permit granted under regulation 215C is appropriate to authorise the possession and use of a permitted accessory.
(3)For the purposes of section 121(1)(a) of the Act, the Commissioner is authorised to approve, as a permitted accessory for a firearm to which a permit granted under regulation 215C applies, any prohibited accessory that is suitable for the firearm.
(4)For the purposes of section 121(1)(c) of the Act, the Commissioner must not grant the approval unless the Commissioner is satisfied that each of the following is for the purposes of, or in connection with, the carrying out of the defence event activity to which the permit relates —
(a)the possession of the permitted accessory;
(b)in the case of a permit under regulation 215C that authorises the use of a firearm — the use of the permitted accessory in conjunction with the firearm.
215H.Permits for prohibited accessories at significant defence events (Act s. 134)
(1)The Commissioner may grant a permit to authorise the permit holder to possess any prohibited accessory to which the permit applies for the purposes of, or in connection with, the carrying out of a defence event activity by the permit holder.
(2)A permit granted under subregulation (1) applies to either or both of the following —
(a)1 or more specific prohibited accessories, each of which is uniquely identified by the permit as a prohibited accessory to which the permit applies;
(b)1 or more types of prohibited accessory specified in the permit.
215I.Permits for firearm technology at significant defence events (Act s. 134)
(1)The Commissioner may grant a permit to authorise the permit holder to do 1 or more of the following for the purposes of, or in connection with, the carrying out of a defence event activity by the permit holder —
(a)possess firearm technology to which the permit applies;
(b)create or develop firearm technology to which the permit applies;
(c)disseminate firearm technology to which the permit applies.
(2)A permit granted under subregulation (1) applies to either or both of the following —
(a)1 or more specific things that are firearm technology (for example, a specific programmed firearm manufacturing device), each of which is uniquely identified by the permit as firearm technology to which the permit applies;
(b)1 or more types of firearm technology specified in the permit.
215J.Permits for remote use devices at significant defence events
(1)The Commissioner may grant a permit to authorise the permit holder to do either or both of the following for the purposes of, or in connection with, the carrying out of a defence event activity by the permit holder —
(a)possess any remote use device to which the permit applies;
(b)use any remote use device to which the permit applies for the purposes of testing it or demonstrating its use.
(2)A permit granted under subregulation (1) applies to either or both of the following —
(a)1 or more specific remote use devices, each of which is uniquely identified by the permit as a remote use device to which the permit applies;
(b)1 or more types of remote use device specified in the permit.
Note for this regulation:
Regulations 257(ca) and 258(d) except persons acting under the authority of a permit granted under this regulation from offences under sections 291 and 292 of the Act.
215K.Extension of authority conferred by permits under this Division: associated persons involved in defence event activity of permit holders (Act s. 122)
(1)In this regulation —
close associate, of a permit holder, means any of the following persons —
(a)an employee or agent of, or contractor to, the permit holder;
(b)an officer of a body corporate that holds the permit;
(c)a person who holds a relevant management position in a body corporate or partnership that holds the permit.
(2)This regulation extends, under section 122 of the Act, the authority conferred by a permit under this Division.
(3)The Commissioner may approve an individual to be an associated person for a permit under this Division if the individual —
(a)is a close associate of the permit holder; and
(b)will be involved in the carrying out of the defence event activity to which the permit relates.
(4)Each associated person for a permit must be listed in the permit.
(5)The authority conferred on a permit holder by a permit under this Division is also conferred on each associated person for the permit.
215L.Extension of authority conferred by permits under this Division: persons attending significant defence events (Act s. 122)
(1)This regulation extends, under section 122 of the Act, the authority conferred by a permit under this Division.
(2)The permit authorises a registered attendee (other than a disqualified person or a prohibited person) at the significant defence event to which the permit relates, in the course of attending the event, to possess a thing to which the permit applies under the immediate supervision of the permit holder, or an associated person for the permit, for the purposes of having the thing demonstrated to the attendee.
215M.Extension of authority conferred by permits under r. 215C to use firearms: persons attending significant defence events (Act s. 122)
(1)This regulation extends, under section 122 of the Act, the authority conferred by a permit under regulation 215C that authorises the permit holder to use a firearm.
(2)Subject to subregulation (3), the permit authorises a registered attendee (other than a disqualified person or a prohibited person) at the significant defence event to which the permit relates, in the course of attending the event, to use the firearm under the immediate supervision of the permit holder, or an associated person for the permit, for the purposes of the registered attendee testing it or having its use demonstrated.
(3)Subregulation (2) applies only if the Commissioner —
(a)determines that the authority conferred by the permit is to be extended under subregulation (2) in relation to the firearm; and
(b)includes the determination in the permit.
(4)The Commissioner must not make a determination under subregulation (3) unless the Commissioner is satisfied that the use of the firearm by registered attendees at the significant defence event —
(a)is reasonably necessary for the carrying out of the defence event activity to which the permit relates; and
(b)will not pose a risk to the safety of persons at the significant defence event.
215N.Exemptions from operation of Act s. 258 and 259 (Act s. 17)
(1)For the purposes of section 17(4) of the Act, a person who is in possession of a prohibited accessory under the authority of a permit granted under regulation 215C or 215H is exempt from the operation of section 258 of the Act in relation to that possession of the prohibited accessory.
(2)For the purposes of section 17(4) of the Act, a person who uses a firearm with a prohibited accessory fitted to it under the authority of a permit granted under regulation 215C is exempt from the operation of section 259 of the Act in relation to that use of the firearm with the prohibited accessory fitted to it.
(3)For the purposes of section 17(4)(b) of the Act, an exemption under subregulation (1) or (2) applies to a person who is the permit holder or an associated person for the permit subject to the condition that the person must comply with any conditions of the permit or the Commissioner’s approval under regulation 215K(3) that apply to the person.
9.Part 4 Division 4 heading inserted
Before regulation 216 insert:
Division 4 — Miscellaneous possession permits
10.Part 4 Division 5 heading inserted
After regulation 217 insert:
In regulation 218(1) and (2) delete “permit” and insert:
permit, or as an associated person for a permit under Division 3,
Note: The heading to amended regulation 218 is to read:
Application on behalf of responsible person or associated person for permit
(1)In regulation 256 delete the definition of remote use device.
(2)In regulation 256 in the definition of net cannon paragraph (b) delete “operate;” and insert:
operate.
In regulation 257:
(a)after paragraph (c) insert:
(ca)a person who is authorised to possess the remote use device under a permit granted under regulation 215J;
(b)in paragraphs (d) and (e) delete “(b) or (c)” and insert:
(b), (c) or (ca)
In regulation 258:
(a)in paragraph (c) delete “cannon.” and insert:
cannon;
(b)after paragraph (c) insert:
(d)a person who is authorised to use the remote use device under a permit granted under regulation 215J.
Part 3 — Weapons Regulations 1999 amended
This Part amends the Weapons Regulations 1999.
After regulation 14 insert:
15.People connected with significant defence events excepted from Act s. 6, 6A(1) and 7(1)
(1)In this regulation —
Commissioner means the Commissioner of Police;
defence event activity means —
(a)displaying, exhibiting or demonstrating prohibited weapons, edged weapons or controlled weapons at a significant defence event; or
(b)any other activity (whether carried out before, during or after a significant defence event) that is ancillary or incidental to an activity referred to in paragraph (a);
exempt activity, in relation to an exemption notice, means a defence event activity specified in the exemption notice under subregulation (3)(a);
exemption notice means a notice under subregulation (3);
exempt person, in relation to an exemption notice, means a person specified in the exemption notice under subregulation (3)(b);
exempt weapon, in relation to an exemption notice, means a weapon specified in the exemption notice under subregulation (3)(c);
registered attendee, in relation to a significant defence event, means a person who is registered by the organiser of the event to attend the event;
significant defence event has the meaning given in the Firearms Regulations 2024 regulation 212.
(2)A person (the exhibitor) may apply in writing to the Commissioner for an exemption notice for a significant defence event.
(3)If the Commissioner is satisfied of the matters referred to in subregulation (4), the Commissioner may give the exhibitor a written notice giving an exemption for the significant defence event and specifying —
(a)the defence event activity or activities related to the significant defence event, and to be carried out by the exhibitor, to which the exemption applies; and
(b)the person or persons to whom the exemption applies; and
(c)the weapon or weapons to which the exemption applies.
(4)For the purposes of subregulation (3), the Commissioner must be satisfied that —
(a)each weapon specified under subregulation (3)(c) is required for the purposes of, or in connection with, the carrying out of the defence event activity or activities specified under subregulation (3)(a); and
(b)each person specified under subregulation (3)(b) is a fit and proper person for the exemption to apply to; and
(c)adequate arrangements exist to keep each weapon secure while it is at the significant defence event and while it is being transported within the State.
(5)A person does not commit an offence under section 6(1) of the Act if the person —
(a)is an exempt person under an exemption notice; and
(b)does or attempts to do any of the following for the purposes of, or in connection with, an exempt activity under the exemption notice —
(i)brings or sends into the State a prohibited weapon that is an exempt weapon under the exemption notice;
(ii)carries or possesses a prohibited weapon that is an exempt weapon under the exemption notice;
(iii)purchases, sells or supplies a prohibited weapon that is an exempt weapon under the exemption notice.
(6)A person does not commit an offence under section 6A(1) or 7(1) of the Act if the person —
(a)is an exempt person under an exemption notice; and
(b)for the purposes of, or in connection with, an exempt activity under the exemption notice, carries or possesses an edged weapon or a controlled weapon that is an exempt weapon under the exemption notice.
(7)A person does not commit an offence under section 6(1)(b), 6A(1) or 7(1) of the Act if —
(a)the person is a registered attendee at a significant defence event in relation to which an exemption notice has been given; and
(b)in the course of attending the event, the person is given possession of an exempt weapon under the exemption notice by an exempt person under the exemption notice for the purposes of having the exempt weapon demonstrated to the person; and
(c)the person possesses the exempt weapon at the significant defence event under the immediate supervision of the exempt person for those purposes.
(8)If, after giving an exemption notice, the Commissioner is no longer satisfied as to any of the matters referred to in subregulation (4), the Commissioner may give the exhibitor written notice that on a day specified in the notice the exemption notice ceases to be in force.
N. HAGLEY, Clerk of the Executive Council
© State of Western Australia 2026. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence (CC BY 4.0). To view relevant information and for a link to a copy of the licence, visit www.legislation.wa.gov.au. Attribute work as: © State of Western Australia 2026. By Authority: ANDREW JONES, Government Printer