POLICE have ordered more than a dozen WA gun owners to prove why they need to keep their high-calibre firearms, in letters described by one MP as “unusual”.

In letters tabled in State Parliament last week, 14 owners were asked to provide evidence of their shooting skills and experience to justify continued licensing of their firearms, which are all above .308 calibre.

“In order to exploit their increased capabilities, very powerful firearms require a greater level of skill and experience than that required for shorter range recreational firearms,” Licensing Services officer in charge Sen. Sgt Carl Fisher wrote in a letter to the owners late last month.

“Therefore, in the interest of public safety, and to reasonably justify possession of such powerful firearms, the licence holder should demonstrate they possess suitable shooting skills and experience to safely and effectively engage targets at these extended distances.

“Please provide, in writing, evidence of your shooting skills and experience to justify continued approval (of your firearm) for recreational hunting and shooting purposes.”

Owners with multiple weapons, including those below what is considered “very powerful”, were asked why those were not enough.

Liberal Democrat MP Aaron Stonehouse, who asked the question in Parliament, said several of the gun owners had contacted him about the letters.

“For most people it took them by surprise,” he said. “Firearm owners were not expecting to receive a letter like this — it is a little unusual because you have to justify a genuine need for every firearm that you licence.

“The people who have these licences have already justified their need for them and now the police are following up again.”

Mr Stonehouse said for many of the owners the firearms were tools for their work.

“The concern here is while the police do have the power to audit firearm licence owners at any time, and that’s the justification they are using, in this instance it’s a little strange that they’re picking particular calibre,” he said.

“A firearm like this is a tool, and you’ve got different tools for different jobs. There are plenty of legitimate reasons why you might need to have two high- calibre rifles.”

As part of the response to Mr Stonehouse’s question, Police Minister Michelle Roberts described the letters as part of the “regulatory process”.

“The WA Police Force advises it regularly undertakes audits on firearms and firearm licences to ensure compliance,” her response read. “Fourteen letters have been sent to individual licence holders who have a 0.50-calibre firearm or a 0.408 CheyTac firearm.” Police were contacted for comment.