The Letter to the Minister re Legal Firearms & their "Appearance Test"

So I sent an email off to LIZA HARVEY MLA - Western Australia's Minister for Police, Road Safety, Training and Workforce Development & Women's Interests re a recent firearms issue that effects Legal firearm owners. There's a couple of issues in the letter I sent, some surrounding the "appearance" of a military firearm causing an otherwise legal firearm being refused at the application level.

I pointed out to the minister that a 1795 Springfield Musket is an ex-military firearm but it isn't refused on grounds of appearance.
I also pointed out I am currently legal to own a Ruger 10/22 semi automatic .22 rifle as long as it doesn't look military even though no matter what an owner does to it, it was never military as it was .22 calibre.

My point was, that the "appearance" test was subjective and highly flawed and needed either scrapping or replacing with a sensible but very clear and prescriptive set of guidelines. At present a firearm might be rejected by one officer but passed by another. It is a wrong and clumsy system based on no logic at all.

 

Lever actions were once military firearms also, but are not any longer and haven't been for a long time. They are legal for recreational shooters and primary producers. My point was missed by the minister that when does a defunct military rifle become OK for the general public and miss the "appearance rule"?

 

Here's the minister's reply to my letter. Have a read then read part two. :-)