FIREARM owner Kate Fantinel, who ran as a Senate candidate for the Liberal Democrats in 2022, has engaged a King’s Counsel with a team of lawyers to discuss the legal challenge to the WA Firearms Act 2024 and the WA Firearms Regulations 2024. She says almost every page of the two Acts are flagged as a potential for legal challenge.
Ms Fantinel, who has moved to Texas to escape what she calls WA’s fascist government, has raised $174,000 for the initial stage of the legal battle. She works in Texas for Libertarian activist Dan Behrman, who ran for president in 2020.
“I instructed my lawyers to urgently examine the confiscation of private property without compensation for those who own now-banned firearms and firearms exceeding the numerical limits. I also instructed them to consider the legalities of (governments) limiting private property ownership.
“We also discussed other areas of concern, ranging from the expanded fit and proper person test (including the mandatory health checks, physical ability, and the views, attitudes and opinions of firearm owners); the increased storage requirements; and the new property letters system, to name a few.”
Ms Fantinel said because almost all pages of the Act and Regulations presented serious issues for law-abiding firearm owners, her team has estimated it will take two weeks maximum to write the Letter of Opinion, an extensive legal document that will provide clear direction on what areas we can challenge in the WA Courts.
Cairns News can only say “good luck”, because sometimes court actions in Australia can stymie government overreach.
“I understand this is cutting it close to the March 31st deadline, but I am one person who receives no support from any shooting organisation, political party or business, which means I had to rely on the support of the people to fund this David & Goliath battle,” she said.
“I am not in a position to take up this fight by myself, but because of your support and generous donations, I was able to assemble a legal team and meet with them today, with the devastating election result now proving we could never rely on a political solution.”
WA Labor and a bunch of radical Greens control the Upper House of the WA Parliament.
Ms Fentinal says as soon as she recieves the legal advice, she will be sharing the information publicly so firearm owners “know where we stand legally”. “I have waived my client privilege to ensure the people are informed and know our options,” she said.
In the meantime those who have received a Firearm Authority Requirement from WAPOL regarding now-banned firearms or firearms exceeding the numerical limits should start gathering evidence in relation to the value of each firearm, the purpose for which it was licensed for, and photographs of the property affected.
“This evidence is vital as my legal team are seriously considering launching a class action. This legal avenue will become clearer once the Letter of Opinion is written, but my lawyers have advised me to encourage you to gather the evidence now to to pave the way for legal action.”
The information gathered by firearm owners can be emailed directly via ladyliberty.walegal@gmail.com.
Ms Fantenil says it has been a long three years for West Australian firearm owners, who have been subjected to doxing, smears in the media, attacks from the Police Minister and mistreatment by the government.
“Thank you for your support and entrusting me to lead this battle. I could not do this without you.”
