“Steal Back” prices

Questions about Western Australian gun and ammunition laws. W.A. Firearms Act 1973.

“Steal Back” prices

Post by Die Judicii » 05 Jan 2026, 8:31 am

To the many that had their weapons stolen by the government. How were prices determined ? Were there individual prices or was it a “blanket” price, one size fits all ? Also, were they fair prices ? Obviously i wasn’t involved so hence my ignorance.
I do not fear death itself... Only its inopportune timing!
And,,,,It's been proven,,,,, the most trustworthy females in my entire life were all canines.
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Re: “Steal Back” prices

Post by Wapiti » 05 Jan 2026, 8:42 am

In 1996, the prices were based on retail selling prices of new and used examples.
Gun groups and retail businesses were consulted for input.
Not from what I've seen in WA.

But back then, guns in most states weren't registered, so there had to be a carrot to get people to voluntarily hand over their possessions.
I remember gun owners who were "good-weather" firearms owners (as most seem to be), skiting how much money they got.

This time however, they know what you have, and you cannot resist individually.
So everyone just sucks it up and lets go, or fights as a block.
But that aint gonna happen in Australia now.
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Re: “Steal Back” prices

Post by 1886 » 05 Jan 2026, 6:20 pm

1886
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Re: “Steal Back” prices

Post by Die Judicii » 05 Jan 2026, 7:06 pm



Thanks,,,,,,,,,
Well it's no bloody wonder why the terminology "steal back" came about.
I do not fear death itself... Only its inopportune timing!
And,,,,It's been proven,,,,, the most trustworthy females in my entire life were all canines.
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Re: “Steal Back” prices

Post by alexjones » 05 Jan 2026, 7:07 pm

I love how they call it a “Voluntary Buyback Scheme”.

Comply or go to jail. Very voluntary…….
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Re: “Steal Back” prices

Post by deye243 » 05 Jan 2026, 8:12 pm

Die Judicii wrote:


Thanks,,,,,,,,,
Well it's no bloody wonder why the terminology "steal back" came about.

We were using the term Steal back in 96
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Re: “Steal Back” prices

Post by 1886 » 05 Jan 2026, 8:20 pm

alexjones wrote:I love how they call it a “Voluntary Buyback Scheme”.

Comply or go to jail. Very voluntary…….

Or after the closing date they showed up at your door and confiscated them with no payment.

I had 21 so had to sell 11 to retain 10. Very hard choosing what to let go.
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Re: “Steal Back” prices

Post by alexjones » 05 Jan 2026, 8:27 pm

1886 wrote:
alexjones wrote:I love how they call it a “Voluntary Buyback Scheme”.

Comply or go to jail. Very voluntary…….

Or after the closing date they showed up at your door and confiscated them with no payment.

I had 21 so had to sell 11 to retain 10. Very hard choosing what to let go.


Is it 10 per address or 10 per person?

I guess that is a mute point anyway because in WA you licence each gun to a person and can’t loan guns.

In Queensland you can loan a gun to someone who is suitably licensed for 3 months.
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Re: “Steal Back” prices

Post by alexjones » 05 Jan 2026, 8:33 pm

I hope Queensland keeps its like for like.

In Queensland if you have more than 30 ABCD OR 30 H guns you need to build a gun room. So I just keep some of my guns at a dealer and swap them in and out when required.

The law specially says you need a gun room if you have more than 30 ABCD OR 30 H.

So I take that to mean I can have 30 of each for a total of 60 to be compliant.

Like for like swap is a good way to legally avoid any capping of firearms ownership.
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Re: “Steal Back” prices

Post by 1886 » 05 Jan 2026, 10:10 pm

alexjones wrote:
1886 wrote:
alexjones wrote:...........Is it 10 per address or 10 per person?

I guess that is a mute point anyway because in WA you licence each gun to a person and can’t loan guns..............

10 per person.

We can co licence, eg a husband and wife or mates can each co licence each others firearms but only up to a max of 10 each, eg wife has 3 but can co licence 7 of husbands etc. Saves both having to pay for 2 of the same etc.
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Re: “Steal Back” prices

Post by alexjones » 05 Jan 2026, 10:39 pm

1886 wrote:
alexjones wrote:
1886 wrote:
alexjones wrote:...........Is it 10 per address or 10 per person?

I guess that is a mute point anyway because in WA you licence each gun to a person and can’t loan guns..............

10 per person.

We can co licence, eg a husband and wife or mates can each co licence each others firearms but only up to a max of 10 each, eg wife has 3 but can co licence 7 of husbands etc. Saves both having to pay for 2 of the same etc.



Yeah ok. I was thinking like husband, wife, friends etc can all have 10 guns each of their own. But because you can only co licence and not let people borrow them it defeats the purpose.
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Re: “Steal Back” prices

Post by womble » 06 Jan 2026, 3:03 am

10 guns per wife would be an acceptable dowry.
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Re: “Steal Back” prices

Post by 1886 » 06 Jan 2026, 9:31 am

alexjones wrote:.............Yeah ok. I was thinking like husband, wife, friends etc can all have 10 guns each of their own. But because you can only co licence and not let people borrow them it defeats the purpose.

No they can all have 10 per person if they wish.

But you made mention of sharing guns and the co licence scenario is similar as it allows say a husband and wife to be able to use the same 10 guns instead of having to buy 10 each.
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Re: “Steal Back” prices

Post by alexjones » 06 Jan 2026, 3:39 pm

1886 wrote:
alexjones wrote:.............Yeah ok. I was thinking like husband, wife, friends etc can all have 10 guns each of their own. But because you can only co licence and not let people borrow them it defeats the purpose.

No they can all have 10 per person if they wish.

But you made mention of sharing guns and the co licence scenario is similar as it allows say a husband and wife to be able to use the same 10 guns instead of having to buy 10 each.



I was thinking like say a social circle of a few people own 10 guns each and share them amongst each other.

So a husband can have 10 guns in his name the wife have 10 in hers. The kids over 18 have 10 etc.

So it is a way to have more guns. But this is not legal in WA.
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Re: “Steal Back” prices

Post by 1886 » 06 Jan 2026, 9:17 pm

alexjones wrote:,,,,,,,,,,,,,So a husband can have 10 guns in his name the wife have 10 in hers. The kids over 18 have 10 etc.

So it is a way to have more guns. But this is not legal in WA.

All of those people can each have 10 guns in WA but yes each cannot also use any of the others 10 guns.

However, IMHO if each have 10 guns to cover what they need them for the times they would need to access any others would be remote. There is also the issue from my perspective that NO ONE else will ever have access to or use any of MY guns :thumbsdown: .
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