As a Western Australian, I can face up to three years in prison for owning a gel blaster—an item that is legal and commonly used as a recreational hobby in other Australian states. This petition calls on the WA Government to replace an extreme ban with sensible regulation.

I have always wanted to get into gel blasters as a hobby. Friends of mine in Queensland regularly play organised games, and it’s frustrating that people in Western Australia are not allowed to enjoy the same activity. What is treated as a normal, harmless recreational pastime in one state is treated as a serious criminal offence in another.

In Western Australia, simply possessing a gel blaster can result in a penalty of up to three years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $36,000. That is an extreme punishment for owning what is essentially a toy that fires soft, water-based gel balls. These penalties are comparable to those imposed for genuinely dangerous weapons, despite gel blasters being designed for recreational play and not for causing harm.

This ban feels like an overreaction. Crime and violence are real issues that deserve serious attention, but banning gel blasters does nothing to address them. Instead, the law punishes ordinary, law-abiding people who just want to enjoy a safe hobby with friends. Those who intend to commit real crimes are not deterred by this ban, while responsible users are the ones affected.

Gel blasters themselves are not the problem. When used responsibly, they pose no meaningful risk to public safety. Other Australian states have shown that this activity can be managed safely without criminalising participants. There is no reason Western Australia cannot take the same approach rather than imposing one of the harshest responses in the country.

This petition is not calling for a free-for-all. It is calling for balance and common sense. With reasonable rules in place, such as clear guidelines around where and how gel blasters can be used, Western Australians should be able to enjoy this hobby without fear of facing criminal charges.

Western Australians should not risk life-altering penalties for participating in a recreational activity that is accepted elsewhere in Australia. The current law is disproportionate, unnecessary, and out of step with community expectations.

I am calling on the Western Australian Government to reconsider the current ban on gel blasters and replace it with sensible regulation that protects public safety without criminalising harmless recreation.

Please sign this petition to help bring gel blasters back as a legal, regulated activity in Western Australia.
At the time of writing, this petition has 81 supporters, showing growing public support for reform.