In response, the Western Australian government is moving to tighten up firearm licensing requirements. This ruling brings forth hope after the terrible killings of Jennifer Petelczyc and her 18 year old daughter Gretl. From March 31, the new legislation makes obtaining a firearm conditional on providing a certificate of health from your General Practitioner (GP). This certificate should attest to their mental and physical ability to safely own and operate a firearm. Whether in rural areas or urban centers, healthcare professionals are raising deep alarm over this requirement. This concern is particularly pronounced among Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) members in Western Australia.
Dr. Mariam Bahamia, the RACGP’s WA deputy chair, has said she remains “extremely concerned.” She is concerned about the effect these new laws will have on the practice of GPs. The RACGP continues to be the strongest voice for doctors in the state. They passionately promote policies that will decrease the likelihood of firearms being used harmfully. This new duty to evaluate firearm license applicants adds a layer of complexity to already important medical practice. This problem is even more acute in rural and remote communities.
New Requirements Create Burden on GPs
Under the new firearm licensing legislation, GPs are now responsible for making holistic health assessments of people who want to hold firearm licenses. On his LinkedIn, Dr. Bahamia underscored what a daunting process this is.
“With the firearm license, there’s a heavy emphasis on mental health and perhaps, substance abuse and history of violence or suicidal ideation and the cognitive stability of a patient.” – Dr. Mariam Bahamia
Beyond this, she described a complex logistical landscape in which GPs are often failing to make correct assessments. Lacking information can hide a potential patient’s mental condition and their eligibility to possess a firearm.
“In a way we’re being asked to judge risk based sometimes on incomplete information.” – Dr. Mariam Bahamia
This expanded responsibility raises interesting questions about the place of general practitioners, ideally positioned as safety arbiters. The result has been a reluctance among many GPs to accept this role.
Concerns About Rural and Remote Healthcare
Dr Bahamia highlighted the burden placed on GPs working in rural and remote communities. Even if they’re not, they frequently feel pressured to deny certification for new firearm licenses. The threat of backlash from angry patients or other community members may further muddy the waters of their decision-making.
“GPs have been reluctant to become proxy decision makers as to the eligibility to be granted a firearm authority.” – Dr. Mariam Bahamia
The RACGP intends to monitor the implementation of these laws over time to assess their impact on practitioners and patient care.
Police Commander Addresses GP Concerns
In response, WA Police Commissioner Commander Lawrence Panaia responded to these doctors’ concerns. He pointed out that medical practitioners need not be concerned about any misuse of firearms that occurs post-certification by them.
“But what they’ve also got to remember is that the commissioner of police is the final decision maker in granting someone a licence, not the medical profession.” – Commander Lawrence Panaia
He promised GPs that the onus should not be on them to say whether someone is mentally or physically fit. They must not be put under the gun to make final licensing decisions.
Despite these assurances, Dr. Bahamia articulated the legitimate concerns many GPs have regarding medical, legal, and professional obligations related to the new laws.
“But there are some medical, legal and professional obligations that are concerning many GPs.” – Dr. Mariam Bahamia
