Pastoralists in remote Western Australia battling drought say they need access to high powered, self-loading rifles to better control destructive pests such as camels and wild horses.

Key points: Farmers in WA say more powerful weapons will help them control feral animals more effectively and humanely

Farmers in WA say more powerful weapons will help them control feral animals more effectively and humanely Police are totally opposed to allowing access to certain types of guns saying they could endanger the community

Police are totally opposed to allowing access to certain types of guns saying they could endanger the community More than 140 recommendations made after a review of the state's gun laws have not been implemented by Government

Wiluna pastoralist Tim Carmody has shot more than 2,500 camels since the start of this year and more than 7,000 camels and horses since his family took over Prenti Downs Station four years ago.

He said the pests needed to be culled as they caused severe land degradation and competed with stock for water and food.

He said that higher-powered, self-loading firearms would allow for more humane control.

"It's all about the rate of fire, and when you get a mob of 20 to 30 camels you want to shoot them as quickly as you can," Mr Carmody said.

"You want to put a second shot into the animals so it's a humane kill and we control the large, feral herbivore."

Wiluna pastoralist Tim Carmody says access to higher-powered, self-loading rifles would allow more humane camel control. ( ABC Rural: Tara De Landgrafft )

The State Government recently offered another $50,000 for camel control to the Goldfield Nullarbor Rangelands Biosecurity Association, but Mr Carmody said the Government needs to do more Crown Land.

"The reinfestation of camels on our station is from Unallocated Crown Land (UCL), without question, and the State Government need to tackle this," he said.

Police shoot down proposal

WA Police said there was no new need for access to category D firearms because community safety is more important.

A spokesman said pest control officers from the WA Department of Primary Industries already have access to such weapons for feral control.

"Changes to existing pest control arrangements are being made to ensure those who already have access to such firearms are more accessible to those who need those services," the spokesman said.

Similarly, WA Agriculture Minister Alannah MacTiernan told the ABC she raised category D firearm access with WA Police but they "strongly advised against any changes to gun regulations around category D firearms".

She said they asserted that "community safety must always be our priority".

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Ms MacTiernan said her department was working with pastoralists and biosecurity groups to help landholders control large feral animals.

Pastoralists and farmers in WA can already access a range of firearms to control pest animals, including semi-automatic or self-loading shotguns, or weapons defined nationally as category C firearms.

They can also access category B firearms, including high-powered bolt, lever, or pump action rifles.

Groups of up to 200 feral camels have been spotted in WA's remote northern Goldfields. ( ABC Goldfields-Esperance: Andy Tyndall )

But pastoralists say both of these weapons have limitations.

They want access to a category D firearms due to their ability to shoot longer distances.

Self-loading rifles can also fire a number of rounds without having to be manually reloaded like the guns in category B.

Broadacre farmers also want change

David Hamilton, a mixed sheep and wheat farmer at Moora in WA's grain belt, supports calls for people on the land to be given the opportunity to apply for category D firearms, as well as access to noise suppressors.

David Hamilton examines his lupin crop damaged by kangaroos, costing tens of thousands of dollars, with agronomist Ben McGillivray. ( Supplied )

"We don't restrict the mining industry to pick axes and shovels because explosives and heavy machinery are dangerous," Mr Hamilton said.

"We regulate them with good and proper hoops and procedures and give them access.

"We're just want the same access as the other states have."

A call for graziers to get regulated access to self-loading category D firearms has been backed by the WA Pastoralists and Graziers Association. ( ABC News: Chris Lewis )

Mr Hamilton said suppressors which reduce firearm discharge noise would allow for more effective pest control and would be of particular benefit controlling foxes when ewes were lambing.

He said higher-powered, self-loading firearms such as those within the D category would also offer faster and longer shooting range when controlling pests in crops.

Mr Hamilton said he did not agree with concerns that allowing access to additional firearms and accessories would threaten community safety.

"Since 1996 when the gun laws changed [in] New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and the Northern Territory, farmers in these states have had access to these [powerful firearms]," he said.

"For over 20 years [they] haven't had an issue."

No changes implemented despite review

Shooters, Fishers and Farmers state MP Rick Mazza supports the plan to allow pastoralists to access the category D rifle, but also says the state government needs to act on other gun regulation reform.

Kangaroos have caused about $15,000 damage in two paddocks at David Hamilton's Moora property this year. ( Supplied: David Hamilton )

A two-year Law Reform Commission of WA Firearms review handed down in 2016 made 143 recommendations, but none of them have been implemented.

Mr Mazza was on a working group as part of the review which included WA Police, the Sporting Shooters Association, and the Firearms and Traders Association.

More than a year ago this group recommended a tranche of agreed changes, endorsed by the police, to the Government.

Mr Mazza said it was disappointing the Government has failed to act on the proposals.

"The last I heard it was before cabinet," he said.

"The Law Reform Commission did a thorough investigation, so it's disappointing the Government hasn't moved to make amendments to the Firearms Act."

Not asking for laws to be relaxed

Mr Hamilton said he was disappointed the Law Reform Commission's changes had not been implemented.

Moora grazier David Hamilton says wild dogs are moving into his area from pastoral regions and higher-powered, self-loading rifles would help with control efforts. ( Supplied: WA Agriculture Department )

"It's the regulation — put the regulation in place," he said.

"Don't ban it, give us the hoops to jump through [as] it needs proper regulation.

"I want to be engaged in the conversation and create work around to get these recommendations from the Law Reform Commission enacted."

Mr Hamilton said he recognised firearms and guns were a sensitive topic and he stressed he was not lobbying for gun laws to be changed or relaxed.

"Guns are a sensitive topic because the media sometimes gets people jumping up and down that we're changing gun laws and watering down gun laws," he said.

"But John Howard gave provision for farmers to use these.

"There's no votes in it because we're country people. The urban population don't understand our problems out here and it's really hard for a politician to get this through."

WA Police Minister Michelle Roberts said reforms to the Firearms Act were being finalised, "ready for introduction into Parliament in the new year".