Thousands of firearms are being racked and locked in interstate gun shops after being shipped cross-border to sell or store in the wake of Australia's toughest new gun laws.

The unforeseen dispersal of weapons has been triggered by Western Australia's watertight ownership regime enacted by the state's Labor government in June last year.

The rules have prompted some owners of multiple firearms to hand them in but not all.

Others are believed to have passed them on to mates, while many have offloaded them beyond WA's jurisdiction.

The rules limit the number of guns an individual can own, with farmers and competition shooters restricted to a maximum of 10 and recreational hunters five.

Under the changes, licence applicants must complete mandatory training and all gun owners will need to

See Full Page