THERE might be more than 20,000 firearm licences and 83,000 guns in the Central West, and the Bathurst region is right at the top of the list.
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But gun owners say there are very good reasons for some people to own multiple firearms.
The recently released NSW Police Force's Firearms Registry shows the breakdown of just how many licences and firearms there are by postcode.
Data shows that the 20,140 licence holders have 83,417 registered firearms and while that might average out at four per person, there are some people who have many more.
Bathurst not only has the highest number of registered guns at 14,641, it has the most firearms licences at 3392.
There are 13,881 firearms in Dubbo (3151 licences), Orange has 11,586 guns (3208 licences), Mudgee has 10,649 guns (2624 licences), while there is 5027 guns in Young (1190 licences).
In Dubbo one licence holder has 200 guns, in Orange the highest ownership is 131 firearms, while in Bathurst is drops to 103.
Grazier Jim Seaman manages a sheep, cattle and cropping property at Wiagdon north of Bathurst and he said different guns are needed for different jobs.
"They're integral really from pest control to humanely putting livestock down if they need it," he said.
"I don't think we could do what we do without them."
Mr Seaman "grew up shooting" and said for safety it was best to use the correct firearm for the correct job.
"If you use a high powered rifle into a skull real close you might shoot yourself," he said in the case of putting an animal down.
"But then you need something that can travel the distance if you're shooting a wild dog."
Mr Seaman said while many licence holders were sentimental and kept some guns for historical reasons even though they were never fired, he doesn't understand how one person is Bathurst can be permitted to register 103 firearms.
"I know blokes that have got guns their grandfather used in the war," he said.
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Orchardist Guy Gaeta owns 12 firearms and uses them for a variety of reasons.
Bats, rabbits, starlings and foxes are among the vermin at his cherry and apple orchards located just outside Orange.
"We've got semi-automatics because the starlings come out and eat your cherries," he said.
"With a five-shot you might drop a dozen or so at a time.
"When 50 or 100 starlings land on your tree, within minutes that tree is destroyed."
Mr Gaeta said many people are sentimental about their firearms and this is why some own multiple guns.
"I've got a 22 Magnum that looks like a John Wayne rifle that I bought in 1968," he said.
Mr Gaeta said the community should be more worried about unregistered firearms and ones that are stolen.
"Gun theft is a problem, even though we take all the precautions," he said.
"If they're legally owned I really don't see the problem with them because the person who owns them is doing the right thing."
Sport is a significant reason why some people own multiple firearms, Dubbo Clay Target Club president Ben Fairman said.
"Dubbo is a place that lends itself to a lot of sport shooting, we've got three pistol clubs and three clay target clubs all within 50 kilometres of Dubbo," he said.
"We have three different styles of clay target shooting and different ways the clay targets fly, and you need to have three different guns to shoot them well."
While admitting he doesn't know why one individual in Dubbo would own 200 guns, Mr Fairman said it was very common to have multiple guns for different sports, hunting and farm work.
"It's like saying to a woman 'how many shoes is too many'," he said.
Unlike someone who might collect cars, Mr Fairman said every firearm must be registered no matter whether it's used or now.
"We're all traceable and we're all trackable," he said.
"The unregistered ones are more of a concern."
What do you think?
Nadine Morton
Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
