(archived from 2007)
Police sold blackmarket Uzi
- updated 28 November 2007.
The Herald Sun has reported that a sub-machine gun sold to murdered ganster, Mario Condello, was sold by the Victoria Police at public auction. The report states that it was sold to an Adelaide porn dealer in the late 1990's - well after former PM John Howard had introduced new national gun laws. The CFCV notes that part of the justification for hte National Firearms Management System was a (somewhat mistaken) report that half of the 500 firearms used in some sort of crime, had at some time been registered. Presumably that includes firearms sold by the police! Shooters preferences again prove to be pivotal The ABC website has run a distribution report on senate preferences following Saturday's federal election - and it is showing that preferences from the Australian Shooters Party were critical in the election of Labor's David Feeney. This is what had been hoped for and was also important in ensuring that Greens candidate, Richard Di Natale did not get up. That's the second time in a year shooters' votes have mattered in Victoria with the distribution of their preferences at critical times in the count. You may recall Country Alliance preferences kept at least one Greens candidate out of parliament at the 2006 Victorian State Election. They must be getting a bit annoyed at us by now..... Article on women in hunting The Herald Sun has published a great article on women involved in hunting and fishing. Click on the images below to read the story. (Each file is about 2.5MB in size and will open up in a new window.)
Roy Morgan Duck Shooting Poll Shot Down Roy Morgan sided with Laurie Levy, with a poll on duck shooting. See our response. Click here to see our media release. CFCV teams up with CS&FC The CFCV and it's counterpart in South Australia, the Combined Shooters & Firearms Council of SA, have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding in what could eventually lead to a national political lobby group representing shooters' interests. Click here to see our media release. Nationals call for permanent bounties The ABC website has published a story on the National Party calling for the wild dog and fox bounty to be made permanent. The bounty system was introduced in north east Victoria and Gippsland after last summer's bushfires and will end next month. The reward pays $50 for wild dog scalps and $10 for foxes. A National Party spokesperson said making the bounties permanent would show the government is serious about tackling the pests. "We must make sure that every opportunity is taken and every initiative is pursued to keep the numbers down," he said. We understand from the report however, that the government has ruled this out. Can you believe it - another nut got off! The last story brought to you yet another example of blatantly illegal conduct involving illegal firearms when licensed shooters are copping increasingly more flack. Well, guess what? He walked. News.com.au reports that Jerry Gelb was sentenced at the Melbourne County Court to a 12 month intensive corrections order.
Gelb was fined $1800 for possessing a slingshot, a cattle prod, a spear gun, and incorrectly storing ammunition. He was also fined $900 for possessing a crowbar, a wooden pole, and hindering a policeman in his duty. How about being fined for carrying a loaded handgun where you shouldn't? The report states that Judge Ross said he accepted Gelb had a genuine fear for his and his wife's safety, and his offending was a "measure of the severity of the fear". Judge Ross said he was impressed by the character references from patients and family tendered to the court, showing Gelb had established a "considerable personal goodwill in the community". Loaded gun charge to test court The CFCV has been long concerned about how serious the courts are about giving effect to the firearm laws we have. AAP has reported that a psychiatrist, Jerry Gelb, who brought a loaded gun into the Melbourne Magistrates Court, told the court he now faces that he needed to protect himself from man he paid for security services. His legal representative reportedly told the court the pyschiatrist and his wife Kerry Gelb falsely believed they were under threat from Gelb's ex-wife Sharon Guy. Security officers at the Melbourne Magistrates Court found a .22 calibre Ruger pistol in Gelb's backpack when it was x-rayed at the entrance to the court on February 1 of this year.
After his arrest and Ms Guy's public denial of any threat, Mr Dunn said Gelb realised he had been the victim of a hoax. The report says Gelb is pleading guilty to two counts of possessing an unregistered gun, one count of bringing a firearm on to court premises, two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled weapon and one count of possessing a prohibited weapon. Let's see how the court deals with this. SA DPP chief says 'ban guns' Failing to see the positive - and often necessary side of firearm ownership - South Australia's DPP chief has come out saying all guns should be made illegal. We found this on the Net so it must be true .... Following a shooting in the city over the weekend Mr Pallaras said all guns should be made illegal. "It seems to me we are slipping into a mode where by we are coming to accept this is the sort of behaviour that we should tolerate in this city," he told morning ABC radio. "I think it is a time now while it is perhaps in its early stages to stamp on it hard. "The answer is, in my view, gun control and gun eradication it is simply not enough to licence people with guns because that hasn't worked - people are still getting shot."
Remember his comments .... Beretta's Girl Action day Beretta Australia held it's first "Girl Action" day at the Melbourne Gun Club to attract girls and women into the target shooting sports. The event, which attracted about 400 women, included tuition by members of the Australian Shooting Team and Olympic medallists Russell Mark and Suzy Balogh. Click here to read more about it and see pics from the day. Here is just one of the photos taken on the day Pollies page updated Our Politicians page has just been comprehensively updated with another seven new additions (Mr Barber, Ms Broad, Mr Elasmar, Mr Finn, Mr Guy, Mr Kavanagh, Mr Koch, Mr Thornley). It is definately worth a visit if you haven't seen it before. Click here to see what your pollies have been saying about your sport. Upper House debates amendments The amendments have been debated in the Upper House, and the accompanying Hansard has provided us with a wealth of information for your attention. Long time supporter of the shooting sports, Nationals MP Peter Hall, moved the same amendment that was lost in the Lower House to streamline firearm licencing renewals. Apart from his colleague, Damian Drum, the only other MP to support the move was the DLP's Peter Kavanagh - and we thank him for his commonsense contribution to the debate in support of this. Despite the lack of support, you will notice from the extracts below that a number of MPs saw sense in the amendment and suggested the possibility of supporting it in the future. It is interesting to note that it was the Greens Greg Barber who chose to speak on the amendments rather than their police spokesperson, Sue Pennicuik. Suffice to say we believe we have earnt a special place in Mr Barber's heart that made it too hard for the Greens boss to pass the opportunity to speak on the Bill, up. We have added comment [in small blue font] where appropriate: "...but the practicalities are such that, while it might be intended to reduce the amount of time spent by Victoria Police and licensed firearm owners, it may have the inadvertent outcome that the police will spend more time undertaking sample reviews, spot checks and the like on those firearm licence-holders." [We see no link between how licences are renewed and storage audits etc. It is a weak argument to run.] "I just hope the CFCV sees the light in terms of understanding that this government has a different agenda [with respect to the future of duck shooting as a result of the VEAC matter] to what may appear on the surface." [The VEAC process is independent of government so we don't see this as part of a government agenda. It remains to be seen what Minister Jennings response will be. He is rightly reserving his position at this point in time given that no final recommendation has been made.] Peter Hall - State, NP (Eastern Victoria MLC) "I note that the Sunday Age of 24 June, following the tragic shooting of Brendan Keilar in the central business district area of Melbourne, ran extensive stories about illegal firearm ownership in Australia." "The real problems we have in this country with firearms are in regard to their illegal ownership, illegal importation and illegal use. Perhaps there should be a greater focus of attention from parliaments, at both federal and state levels, to address these problems rather than imposing further restrictions on legal and responsible firearm users." "When you have a consultative process in place, you can usually achieve some decent outcomes. Mr Pete Steedman chairs that consultative committee - he is a character in himself, and he will not mind my saying that, but he gets the job done. Although I am not sure whether the committee agrees with all these amendments, because we do not know that, at least it has been consulted and has worked with the Department of Justice and the government in developing these amendments. It is helpful that people who have an interest in firearms have generally been consulted and, I presume, ticked off on most of these amendments." "[The CFCV] express[es] the views of firearm owners in a very responsible way. Having a single voice speaking for those groups has been helpful for both government and opposition in addressing some of the deficiencies in firearm legislation in this state." "I would hope to see the government continue to work with organisations like the Combined Firearms Council of Victoria, the Firearms Consultative Committee and others to try to address the issues they raise as part of an ongoing process. I encourage the government to look closely at those amendments that the Combined Firearms Council of Victoria (CFCV) has not been prepared to support and see if there are future opportunities to address its ongoing concerns.." Greg Barber - State, GRN (Northern Metropolitan MLC) [If Mr Barber was being observant, he would have noticed that it was in fact the CFCV, not the Country Alliance, that made voting recommendations that favoured the ALP in some areas (and the Libs / Nationals in others). The Country Alliance issued split tickets in two of the three upper house seats it contested - these are in the public domain. ALP therefore did not benefit from the Country Alliance preferences. The Country Alliance did on the other hand, issue a single ticket in the third seat - Eastern Victoria Region - which favoured Peter Hall from the National Party. Unfortunately for Mr Barber, Country Alliance put the Greens last in every instance.] "The Country Alliance is nothing but a Trojan horse for the former Shooters Party. Look at some of its members and even candidates. Of course it is not particularly up-front about it. Of course it does not put firearms up there near the top of its website and in its policies and so forth. [This is ultimately a matter for the Country Alliance to respond to but suffice to say, at the time of writing, it has 18 policies on its site with shooting and hunting sitting at number 5.] "I am sure that if we were writing policy and we made up a group [the Firearms Consultative Committee] of slightly different members - let's say members of the AMA (Australian Medical Association) or victims of firearm violence - we would get a very different set of recommendations." [If Mr Barber had spoken with the FCC, he would be aware that the Royal College of Surgeons was on the FCC, but withdrew due to a lack of interest in the matters it was considering. He would also have been made aware that its Terms of Reference is as a consultative committee - and not a committee tasked with making recommendations. The recommendations in the Bill that he seems to be concerned about, came from the Dept of Justice.] "....bill that offers no protection and no confidence to the ordinary person that firearms are not in the hands of the wrong people." "In my preferred world people would not be storing hundreds and thousands of weapons at private residences...." This does not take into account that other group of gun enthusiasts out there - people who are enthusiastic about weapons because of the sense of power it gives them. They are the ones we really have to worry about. They are the ones who feel a little bit more powerful and a little bit more in control knowing that they have a gun at hand. Martin Bryant was one of those. We need to start
writing a policy that targets those types of individuals." "I think every five years you should have to go in there, and I think the police should crawl up your backside with a microscope before you get your licence extended for another five years. If necessary they should make very intrusive inquiries into your personal situation and all sorts of changes to personal circumstances." "The two major weaknesses in our gun laws are the abysmally low level of training that is required before you are granted a shooters licence and then the organisational structure under which those guns can be legally acquired. Under the Greens scheme the number of people who would be eligible to use a gun and access one would be limited. If that were the case, then the sources under which firearms could be stored would be more limited and the people who they buy them from would be more limited." Candy Broad - State, ALP (Northern Victoria MLC) "However, there is nothing in the national firearms agreement that would prevent streamlining the administrative procedures around the licensing process." "
That is the reason I believe these amendments, which have been sought by licensed shooters, are significant
in terms of building on that support in the wider community." Bernie Finn - State, LP (Western Metropolitan MLC) "However, we have heard and we have seen over the past decade, or a little bit more, a good number of them demonised - demonised from Canberra, and demonised from various Parliaments around this country." "For the government to step in and demonise these people purely because they are pursuing a recreation that they have a right to pursue is wrong; it is clearly wrong." "I am hopeful that this legislation we are debating today will go some way toward easing their minds, although as I say, and I think as Mr Hall said earlier in this debate, there is still a considerable way to go." "We have a situation where every five years, I think it is, people have to go through the paperwork all over again, employing so many for hours, weeks and months on something that is so unnecessary... I would certainly hope that Prime Minister Howard, upon his re-election later this year, will take this on board. Indeed if it goes the other way and KEVIN07 is elected as Prime Minister, then one would hope that even he will say, 'Me too' - he has said 'Me too' to everything else - and jump on board to make this matter a far easier proposition for people who are, as I say, legitimate operators." "Let us put our efforts into ensuring that these illegal weapons, which I am told are everywhere, are cracked down on in a huge way. Quite frankly I do not think that police command is putting anywhere near the sort of energy it should into this.." Evan Thornley - State, ALP (Southern Metropolitan MLC) "I have to say that I think the most irresponsible contribution to this debate today has not come from Mr Finn ... I think Mr Barber wins that title today. In an effort to solidify his support among a group of people who might understandably be concerned about the dangers of firearms Mr Barber definitely went into vilification mode, in my view, in his discussion about the way he would like to see not just firearms but the owners of firearms regulated and dealt with. I do not see what possible social good comes from such extremism on his part. He does nothing but give legitimacy to the extremists and the vigilantes on the other side of the debate. He inflames passions in an issue where common sense above all else is required. There is extremism on the other side of the debate from Mr Barber, but thankfully most of it is outside this country." "If Mr Barber is concerned about the tiny proportion of people who may wish to see illegitimate use of firearms or who may wish to prevent the necessary regulation of firearms - if he wants to deal with those people - he does not advance his cause by developing a competing extremism on the other side." David Koch - State, LP (Western Victoria MLC) "I have to talk with increased annoyance about the do-gooders who are doing their best to take this recreational pursuit [duck shooting] away from many in regional Victoria and from many people from metropolitan Victoria who for recreational purposes come out and join us on these great occasions." "It is important that licence renewals are made easier wherever possible. Getting a new licence for your firearms, although not difficult, can be quite time consuming. Having renewed my licence in just the last three weeks, I can advise the house that we have to
supply more evidence for the use of firearms than for anything else that is registered in our names. I think somewhere that can be tidied up." "The Nationals have moved amendments in the lower house and also here today. In principle some of these should be looked at, because some recognition of making it easier to renew those licences — more on a national basis than on a state basis - is important. The national firearms agreement of 1996 only ever made
provision for a five-year licence. Motor vehicle licences can now be for up to 10 years. There is a difference with our boating licences. Where industry licences are available, they are open-ended for the likes of forklifts, front-end loaders and so on. A reasonable argument exists for The Nationals amendment to be given consideration at a later date. I believe this legislation should always be under review and modified wherever it can better the opportunity for firearm users and licence-holders." "I certainly could not support Mr Barber's comments this morning. Mr Barber's principal concern is that unwittingly he might shoot himself in the foot with one of these instruments .... the line he took this morning — leading the house to believe that there may be no legitimate use for firearms, be it in metropolitan or in regional Victoria - worries me. I certainly do not agree with his thoughts there. I believe there is a legitimate use. The farming community will continue to require firearms. Sporting shooters should be given the opportunity to enjoy their
recreational activities." Matthew Guy - State, LP (Northern Metropolitan MLC) "There are also people in our community who use firearms for enjoyment, such as those who are involved with clay target shooting and pistol clubs. All those activities are heavily regulated to ensure that firearms are handled and stored in a very safe manner. Those clubs are the greatest advocates of firearm safety in our community. It is worth putting that on the record for future reference." "If we have any criticisms of the bill, they are not criticisms of what is in the bill but rather of what is not on the bill .... we also have concerns regarding the
resources of the registration system - they are not addressed by the bill." Peter Kavanagh - State, DLP (Western Victoria MLC) "On the basis of the above I intend to support Mr Hall's amendment. It relates to a rather unnecessary and unproductive restriction on licensing that is not conducive to public safety." The politicians page will be updated over the weekend. Gun control webcast One of our regulars spotted this and sent it to us. It is a webcast on gun control in the US - and very interesting for those who like to examine issues critically. It provides factual and historical data relating to restrictions in the US where in many cases, gun crime has increased where 'gun control' is its strongest. We're not arguing against controls on what we do, but are concerned about simplistic arguments often used by our critics. Click here to see it. The Lower House debate - in detail We have trawled through Hansard for last weeks debate on the Firearm Amendment Bill (including on the amendment proposed by Bill Sykes) and bring to you, relevant extracts:
"The concept [of automatic licence renewals in the context of moving towards full cost recovery] is not being ruled out at this stage, and as I said I look forward to ongoing discussions with The Nationals, the Combined Firearms Council of Victoria, the consultative committee and other interested stakeholders on this as we move towards a new regime in relation to licensing."
Bill Sykes - State, NP (Benalla MLA), Spokesperson for Police and Emergency Services " ...there is intended to be a shift to full cost recovery, and firearm owners consider that a gross injustice would occur if there were full cost recovery for an inefficient process."
See the next news item further down on the press release issued by Bill Sykes for detail on the amendment he moved (titled "Government blocks Sykes' licencing efficiency initiative").
Danielle Green - State, ALP (Yan Yean MLA)
"It is important to recognise that these matters are dealt with under a national firearms agreement and that there is a basic requirement under that agreement for licences to apply for only a five-year period."
Denis Napthine - State, LP (South West Coast, MLA)
Robin Scott - State, ALP (Preston MLA)
"...the reasoned amendment which entails the automatic licence provisions and which was moved by The Nationals is not in keeping with the national agreement. It cannot be supported without breaching the national agreement and on that basis I oppose the amendment."
Christine Fyffe- State, LP (Evelyn MLA)
David Morris - State, LP (Mornington)
"The introduction of the national firearms agreement and the two subsequent agreements has been a great success."
"The legislation recognises the legitimate right of sporting shooters, whether they be hunters, competitive shooters, professional hunters, people on the land, those who collect weapons or dealers. Anyone who has a need to be involved with firearms is able to work under this arrangement. This has all been achieved while outlawing the sorts of guns that seem to cause so much damage and so much trauma in nations that clearly do not have the sorts of controls we have."
Paul Weller - State, NP (Rodney MLA)
"The member for Benalla has received further advice which suggests that this proposal is not inconsistent with the NFA -- I repeat: 'not inconsistent with the NFA'. The advice states that the NFA requires that licences not be issued for more than 5 years -- for example, not for 10 years -- but it appears not to preclude a more efficient system of renewal."
George Seitz - State, ALP (Keilor MLA)
David Hodgett - State, LP (Kilsyth MLA)
It is interesting to note that a record 8 MPs made it onto our 'politicians' page following this debate - and we are yet to see what comes out of the Upper House! If you want to help, why not phone your local member today and tell them how disappointed you are that the amendment got knocked back - and ask if they can push for it to be re-introduced as the Bill goes through the Upper House? It'll cost you a local call and take you just five minutes to do.... Government blocks Sykes' licencing efficiency initiative Nationals member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, has issued a press release in relation to his attempt to help Victoria's 200,000 licenced shooters by introducing steps to streamline firearm licencing renewals. Unfortunately the Government used its numbers in Parliament to block the initiative. The Government has a program of "Reducing the Regulatory Burden", the purpose of which is self explanatory, however it did not seem willing to embrace that in this instance. Here is the body of Dr Sykes' press release:
Dr Sykes and The Nationals supported the majority of the proposed changes to the Firearms Act but he also wanted to put an end to the excessive paperwork and long delays involved with renewing existing firearms licences. Dr Sykes said, "The Labor Party attached was symptomatic of their "not invented here" syndrome ie. because they didn't think of the idea, they rejected it. "Shooters and firearms collectors have repeatedly complained about the paper work and delays in renewing licences, one simple solution is to accept a system similar to driver's licences, whereby the licence is automatically renewed upon payment of a fee and subject to there being no disqualification due to a violation of licence conditions. "Labor MPs claim that my amendment was from "left field" and that the idea had not been raised with them directly. This is untrue, shooting organisations have stated that they have raised the issue repeatedly via the Government's Firearms Consultative Committee and with MPs directly as recently as August 2007. "There is also doubt about Labor MPs additional claim that such an approach would be inconsistent with the National Firearms Agreement. "On a positive note, the Labor Government acknowledges the gross inefficiency of the Licensing Services Division (LSD) and is currently conducting an overhaul of it – something which The Nationals and firearms owners have been demanding for several years. "Let's hope that this results in a substantial improvement in LSD efficiency. "In the meantime I will continue to work towards streamlining of the licences renewal process and the addressing of other inefficiencies and anomalies", Dr Sykes concluded
Debate on amendments to the Firearms Act starts The debate on the amendments to the Firearms Act started yesterday and continued today. While we had hoped to bring you a full coverage of 'day 1', this hasn't been possible but we will cover the debate on this site over the weekend. It will include details of an amendment proposed by the Member for Benalla, Dr Bill Sykes, in relation to the automatic renewal of firearm licences. Don't forget to check this site over the weekend! Joe Hockey joins our pollie club NSW Liberal MP, Joe Hockey has joined our pollie page, this time for suggesting that women live in fear if their partner has a firearm. NFMS critique completed
The CFCV has completed a detailed critique of the proposed National Firearms Management System based on information made available to us. The NFMS is intended to enable the interstate firearm registries to talk with each other - which is fine, but we have serious concerns about the proposal as it stands. We won't be making the critique publicly available, but are in discussions ahead of a key decision to be made by the governments later this month. We will make a decision on whether or not to release the critique, depending on the outcome of the governments deliberations over the NFMS. We remain concerned about the business case, in particular reliance on data which is not published and has not been tested or scrutinised. We are also concerned about the absence of the likely cost and therefore any demonstrated net benefit. Claims that 50% of firearms used in crime were at one time registered, have been made which we assume will be used to 'sell' the project - even though 'theft' won't be addressed by the NFMS. However again there is a dearth of information including the history of the firearms used and when they were registered, as this is critical in understanding how the claim should be interpreted - as we suspect these are quite old and pre-date modern registries. In fact using the project proponent's own information, the rate of legal firearms reportedly being used in crime is small - one in 11,600.... We have recommended structural changes to the way the project is phased which will address the data quality issues first, and remove commercial incentives which we believe should not be part of the current project. Spring newsletter out now
Click here to see our latest newsletter. Four pages on the amendments to the Firearms Act currently in parliament, the fallout from the recent shooting in Melbourne, a Liberal MP who took the wrong turn on gunshops, unsafe storage and a cop who had a strange take on who should not be allowed to own firearms.
Shooters provide 'general support' for firearm amendments: Sykes
National Party MP, Bill Sykes, today put out a press release indicating broad shooter support for the amendments being introduced into parliament. Click here to read his release. O'Dea drags colleague into foray
It looks like Jonathan O'Dea is prepared to dig an even bigger hole for his party....
“NSW planning regulations should ensure shops that sell guns shouldn’t be treated like cafés or other retail outlets”, Mr Hazzard said. “Planning laws must ensure local communities can determine whether gun shops are appropriate in certain locations or should be moved to more discreet premises,” he said. “Local rural communities might expect gun shops on main streets, however many urban communities would not want gun shops in highly visible suburban locations or opposite child care facilities. “Law abiding shooters are entitled to access retail services but that doesn’t necessarily mean gun shops have to be in highly visible areas. This is a red hot issue and the Iemma Labor Government needs to respond immediately to allay community concerns.” Mr O’Dea said Ku-ring-gai Council should have consulted the community over the development application when it was lodged. “The Davidson community is understandably concerned about the prospect of a gun shop opening opposite a preschool and childcare facility at Roseville. “Ku-ring-gai Council officials should have taken the issue to residents for comment and to elected councillors for a decision rather than dealing with it under delegated authority with no local consultation. “The shop’s owner has shown he is willing to listen to the community and I commend him for this. The issue is not about vilifying gun shops or owners but about giving the community a say in where gun shops are located. “I support the community’s call for Ku-ring-gai Council to consider alternative arrangements for the shop to be relocated to a more appropriate location. “I would be delighted if Frank Sartor could assist in this process given his recent comments. Inadequate planning laws have made it difficult for council to date.”
Second reading on Firearms Act amendments
The second reading speech on the amendments to the Firearms Act occurred yesterday. Click here to access the Hansard then do a word search on "firearm" and the third match you find will take you to the start of the relevant extract. Gun shop issue escalates
The issue keeps ballooning. Today, the Greens came out with the sort of thing you would expect. Here is their media release in full:
Media release: 22 August 2007
The impotence of the Ku-ring-gai Council to stop the development of a gun shop in a residential retail centre highlights a weakness in NSW's planning laws, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye. Dr Kaye said: "The ball is in Planning Minister Frank Sartor's court to give councils the ability to stop the spread of gun shops into neighbourhoods with childcare facilities and schools." "He will need to get the NSW government to stand up to the gun lobby and their political wing, the Shooters party." "This will be a real test for Premier Iemma and his planning minister. Will they be prepared to break their deals with the Shooters party and change the laws to allow councils to consider the dangers that gun shops pose?" "The Iemma government has become dependent on the Shooters party to get their legislation through the NSW Upper House. The two Shooters, together with Fred Nile*s two Christian Democrats, hold the balance of power. "The Greens invite the Iemma government to get tough on the spread of gun shops and work with us to pass their legislation. They can break free from the Shooters and Fred Nile. "Selling weapons in neighbourhoods with child-care facilities, primary schools and other vulnerable community facilities is an invitation to disaster. "Police checks on gun licences are not up to the task of stopping individuals getting their hands on weapons and inflicting horrendous violence against children." "Gun shops also damage the amenity of shopping centres by creating a climate of fear and apprehension, especially amongst the elderly. "The planning laws already make special provisions for brothels. "It is time the planning laws recognised the damage done by gun shops and allowed councils to recognise the appalling impact they can have," Dr Kaye said. Given that a Liberal MP has raised this matter with the NSW Government, the Greens have jumped on board and the matter covered by just about every major news outlet up north, it is inevitable this matter will be debated in Parliament. In fact it's hard to imagine how it could not be. ... and then there were these seemingly contrasting articles in today's Sydney Morning Herald. This story suggests NSW Labor might actually support O'Dea and the Greens on this issue. It says in part: (snip) "If councils come to me with a proposal to introduce prohibitions for gun shops near schools I'll support it," Mr Sartor told reporters outside Governor Macquarie Tower this morning." There is also this comment which says in part: In fact, the eight-lane highway outside the door would appear a far bigger threat to the lives of their children who attend the childcare each day than a fortified armoury." The point is, organisations like the CFCV can only be effective if we have money - which you can provide if you donate to us or participate in the Ritchies IGA scheme - and your support at the ballot box. Make sure your club hears about this matter and that your friends join our email list for further alerts as elections approach. Don't let this happen here! ..and don't worry about the National Firearms Management System - we're about to have more to say about that. Firearms Act changes in Parliament
Amendments to the Firearms Act 1996 were tabled in Parliament today (first reading only). Many organisations will recall being consulted on most of these changes earlier this year. We're happy with 90% (probably more) of what is going to be tabled in the second reading which is a real positive for the shooting sports. Despite the odd detractor here and there, the shooting organisations have been consulted - which is not the same as being happy with them. Fortunately most of the changes will be a 'non-issue' for us. We will have more to say on this - including details of the changes - when the second reading speech takes place. O'Dea's outrageous survey
If you ever wanted to see a survey over a local issue, that wasn't a local issue at all, then have a gander at this survey by NSW MP Jonathan O'Dea (some say it is 'push polling'). It's a shocker! You will notice that apart from the emotive garbage, that questions 4, 5 and 6 raise issues that are clearly designed to lean on the state government on planning issues relating to gun shops - not just gun shops, but potentially shooting ranges and other shooting related premises. Why not fill it in and send it off? (PDF courtesy of 'MadMick' from the Australian Hunting website.
Roy Smith responds on gun shop The fight continues. Here is a letter to the editor of the North Shore Times sent in by Roy Smith, MLC:
I write in response to your article “Gun shop under fire” (17 August 2007).
Your own story clearly and correctly points out the development application was assessed and determined under State Government planning laws as well as council policies. What further approvals does Mr O’Dea want for a legitimate business? The Liberal Member for Davidson has engaged in a campaign of scaremongering and seized on this shop’s location to make cheap political mileage out of it. I am also disappointed at the comment by the unnamed shop owner who thought the shop “could bring undesirables into the area”. If by that she means legally licensed firearm owners who may want to buy equipment or ammunition, she need have no fear. Licensed firearm owners are the most checked and scrutinised people in this State and she will have no trouble from them. I know Mr O’Dea is only new in his job and might be feeling the need to be seen to be doing something. However I’d urge Mr O’Dea to look around his electorate a little harder – if he does I’m sure he’ll find some real problems that could do with his attention. In the interim he should leave small business and sporting shooters to go about their legitimate activities. Roy Smith MLC NSW MP speaks out against gun shop In a move that he will no doubt wish he never made, NSW MP, Jonathan O'Dea has come out opposing a gun shop in his electorate. As circulated by NSW Upper House MP, Robert Brown, Mr O'Dea is supporting a call to object to the opening of gun shop by Andrew Peter, a young married man wishing to open a retail shop selling sporting goods, and firearms and ammunition. As noted by Mr Brown, Mr Peter and his wife simply want to be allowed to earn a living. Read more about it on our politicians page (yep, that's two in one week added to our growing roll call). A meeting has been organised to enable the matter to be aired, however since the story broke, Mr Brown has now advised that it seems to have had an instant impact! It would seem Mr O'Dea called Mr Brown, saying he had been "overwhelmed" by contacts from
very irate firearms owners, including people outside his electorate. It would seem this is getting political .... and rightly so. Petrovich added to our pollies page Liberal Upper House MP, Donna Petrovich, has been added to our pollies page, after suggesting shooters are a source of injured wildlife, alongside vehicles and more so than acts of deliberate cruelty. Bernie to the rescue! Upper House MP, Bernie Finn today raised the issue of Supt Graham Kent, who recently called for a complete ban on guns, including the police - but seemingly not for criminals. Readers may recall we supported Mr Finn at the November State Election.
The following is a vindication of why we support him ...
My concern is in regard to comments that have come to my attention after being reported in the online edition of the Herald Sun yesterday. They are comments by Superintendent Graham Kent of the Victoria Police Academy. Superintendent Kent was one of two police officers who spent some hours interviewing Julian Knight soon after his appalling crime some 20 years ago. I can certainly understand how Superintendent Kent must have been affected by that and I can understand that that effect would be colouring his thinking today. My concern is regarding his comments
when he said that there should be a complete ban on all guns in the community, including guns carried by police. He said:
If I had a magic wand, if was Premier for a day, I would have a total prohibition on guns. Total prohibition, including disarming the police force …
Apart from the fact that there are many legitimate and genuine shooters in our community who I think have borne a great burden over the last 20 years as a result of the acts of some very evil individuals, the suggestion that our police force be disarmed is something that should concern us all. (etc)
Well put, Mr Finn!
Parliamentary briefing to be sent out Monday The CFCV provides parliamentarians (other than the Greens) with a briefing note ahead of most sessions of parliament. While we choose not to post the contents of these on our website, the latest edition will cover the National Fireams Management System, the VEAC proposal, our view that Victoria should now be pulling back from the national handgun agreement, the need for automatic licence renewals and the way the judiciary applies s31A of the Crimes Act (adding sentences where criminals carry firearms). Top cop calls for complete ban on guns The Herald Sun carries a story about the 20th anniverary of the Hoddle Street shooting, with comments from Gun Control Australia's John Crook. However it wasn't Crook's comments which caught our attention. Rather it was the comments by Superintendent Graham Kent to the Herald Sun. Supt Kent has apparently called for a blanket ban on all firearms. The Herald Sun reports that Supt Kent, who works at the Victoria Police Academy, said the ban should include guns carried by police. "If I had a magic wand, if was premier for a day, I would have a total prohibition on guns. Total prohibition, including disarming the police force," he said. What he hasn't called for however, is a ban on criminals carrying guns. Whose side is he on? Cameron stays Minister Bob Cameron has retained his position as Minister for Police and Emergency Services, following today's shuffle of State Cabinet. Premier's resignation unlikely to affect shooting sports Yesterday's resignations of Victoria's Premier and Deputy Premier are not expected to have any impact on the shooting sports. Premier Bracks had previously pushed for the banning of certain handguns in 2002 (which you may recall was initiated by the PM following the Monash shootings) after the CFCV was created and ran full page ads supporting some Liberal and Labor members, and the National Party. Suddenly, the shooters had the audacity to not only become political, but directly involved in election campaigns. Many, many meetings over coffee with both sides of parliament later, the reason for the CFCV's existence was better understood, and doors begun to open. We now have the Firearms Consultative Committee, a study into the feasibility of a multi-discipline shooting range, bipartisan support for the retention of duck shooting and the implementation of a firearms safety program. All under Mr Bracks' watch. In otherwords, the Bracks Government has been good for shooters, despite the earlier hiccup. Minister Brumby, who is tipped to be elected Premier, like Mr Bracks, is a country boy with no misunderstanding of what the shooting sports are about. Mr Thwaites also had a sold understanding of the shooting sports despite not being a shooter himself. What matters to us is who will be their staff after the shuffle. Chiefs of Staff and advisers are actually more important in this equation particularly when it comes to the early stages of policy or program development, although these usually later require Ministerial and Cabinet signoff. Assuming most of the existing staff are retained (either in their current or new roles), we would not anticipate the shuffle to make much - if any - difference. We just hope that the opposition has staff in place who will be of comparable quality to those we have been fortunate enough to deal with. National Firearms Management System update The NOUS group is circulating an update on the National Firearms Management System (NFMS), which we expressed concern over a short while back. A covering email forwarded to us noted concerns expressed by shooting organisations particularly in Victoria. The update outines the approach being taken although we are still yet to see the numbers that support a cost / benefit analysis. While it is pleasing to see this information disseminated, we note with interest a suggestion that the "emerging NFMS solution" could involve the use of CrimTrac, which lumps us in with a whole lot of nasty people such as sex offenders and other criminals. This is an option we will be watching very closely. Ronaldson presents petition The International Coalition for Women in Shooting and Hunting (WiSH) today thanked Senator for Victoria the Hon. Michael Ronaldson for presenting a petition from Australian firearms owners, requesting that Australian firearms legislation and policy be based upon evidence and consultation. The organisation collected nearly 1000 signature, and has cited New Zealand's evidence-based approach to firearms legislation has being "world class". The CFCV also thanks Senator Ronaldson for his help. Warren's world class 599 Congratulations to Australia's Warren Potent, who scored a 599 in the 50m men's rifle event to win gold, at the recent World Cup in Sydney. What a pity the local media in Victoria doesn't appear to have reported it. That'll change though, over time. Winter newsletter under preparation We've started putting our newsletter for Winter 2007 together for dissemination Australia wide - and boy, is it a bumper edition. Let us know if you have anything you'd like to add to it. CFCV's position on the National Firearms Management System The CFCV notes with considerable interest the work being done on the development of the National Firearms Management System (NFMS).
A presentation was provided to the Firearms Consultative Commitee (FCC) on the NFMS framework on 18 May for its information. The FCC was not asked to endorse the NFMS and did not do so.
We appreciate the work that has gone into this project, however we are now hearing rumours that the NFMS, which was intended to be a firearm tracking system and provide the community with various net benefits, is now being touted as a nationally based firearms registry. While there may be some efficiencies in this, we understand our name - and that of our President - are being used to suggest we have lent our support to the NFMS program. We haven't. The proposition is also at odds with the advice provided to the FCC.
What we have seen so far are some colourful flowcharts put together by a consulting group and conceptual statements about costs and benefits - but no hard data to support the case for the NFMS even in the 'lite' form.
It is also of increasing concern that shooting groups cannot gain access to the business plan which we understand has been developed.
If the NFMS is to produce a net benefit, then there should be no objection to the business plan being made available for examination and scrutiny. That is about being open, transparent and accountable.
Until then, we reserve our position on the NFMS and encourage the FCC to do the same.
We won't support it until we see more detail and the business case with data that can be verified. 7:30 Report story from CFCV opinion piece The 7:30 Report tonight had a story on the illegal gun trade. The story started after the ABC called us about our earlier opinion article in the Among those interviewed was respected firearm dealer, David Sandground.
The story itself was relatively benign as far as legit shooters go although John Crook remained his usual unhappy self. It was interesting to see him being reported as being from the National Lobby For Gun Control. This raises an interesting question. He has been from Gun Control Australia, which is normally in competition with the National Coalition for Gun Control up north. Is the National Lobby for Gun Control a compromise of the two organisations reaching some middle ground? Maybe a merger of the two? As former NCGC spokesperson, Simon Chapman, said to me in 1997: ".... (John Crook) is totally disinterested in any communication with us for reasons I cannot begin to imagine. I work in many areas of public health and have never encountered such wilfull (sic) isolationism." Maybe the two organisations have kissed and made up? Click here to see the story online (external link) - but be quick before it disappears! Judge 'satisfied' over self defence excuse for gun The Herald Sun today carried the following story - about how a judge appears to have 'accepted' that a person had an illegally owned, illegally modified and illegally stored shotgun for "self defence". This is despite section 1 of the Firearms Act, which says that you cannot own, possess etc a firearm for self defence. The defendant had previously been given a suspendeded sentence, but had breached it - hence the jail term.
A surviving member of a family destroyed by violence was spared a longer prison sentence yesterday when a judge accepted he had a sawn-off shotgun for self protection. Ramze Zayat, 28, was sentenced to six months after pleading guilty in the County Court to being a prohibited person in possession of an unregistered firearm. The maximum sentence for the offence is 15 years. (snip) But Judge Douglas said she was satisfied Zayat had the gun for his own protection. (snip) The court was told Fawkner police searching for drugs found a 12-gauge shotgun with its butt and barrel cut down in a pillow-slip in Ramze Zayat's bedroom on August 18 last year. Shotgun cartridges and a can of mace were found in a cupboard in the same room. Zayat told police he had bought the gun "off the street" for $1,000 a month earlier after hearing the person who shote his brother also wanted to kill him. Age article on illegal gun importation The Age today ran an excellent article showing that the authorities know how big the black market in illegal handguns is (even to the point where the police have assisted it), but how difficult it is for them to address it. We know it is a bit long, but definately worth reading. AFTER he fired the shots that killed Brendan Keilar and wounded two others, the gunman placed the pistol barrel under his chin. For a moment, he seemed set to kill himself, but he lost his nerve and ran. If he had pulled the trigger, it would have blown his head off. It's that sort of gun. A court will formally decide who carried out the shootings but the handgun is already guilty. It is illegal in Australia on two counts: it combines a brutally heavy calibre with a short barrel that makes it easy to hide, a recipe for carnage in criminal hands. And it is a product of a sinister black market that, like the drug trade, ran out of control while authorities concentrated on easier targets. "A highly concealable heavy hitter" is how one disgusted licensed gun dealer describes the weapon used to kill the heroic Melbourne lawyer Brendan Keilar and wound Dutch backpacker Paul de Waard and dancer Kara Douglas. Overseas, such a pistol is used by "narcotics agents, undercover cops and bodyguards", the dealer says. And gangsters, of course. In Australia only an underworld enforcer or the dangerously deluded — or both, it seemed last Monday — would carry such a man killer, more powerful than Victoria Police service revolvers.
The pistol that blighted so many lives was found at a city building site soon after the shootings. It is a .40 calibre Llama Minimax. It is small, relatively light and yet, with its hefty calibre, all too deadly. Its stubby barrel is not made for accuracy — to hit targets or hunt — but to blow a hole in humans at murderously close range. A few years ago, a handgun like that, or its Chinese equivalent, would have brought between $1000 and $2000. But the black market is so turbocharged by drugs, money and paranoia that it could bring much more now. The word on the underworld rumour mill is that the city gunman paid $5000 for the murder weapon less than two weeks ago. For something that can destroy a life with such awful efficiency, the Llama is a relatively crude tool. Not quite, perhaps, the "gangster junk" that purists might label it, but so poorly thought of by legitimate target shooters that no dealership sells Llamas in Australia, and few were ever imported in the past. The murder weapon almost certainly reached Australia through an underground network as pernicious as the drug trade — and inextricably entwined with it. In the dog-eat-dog underworld, drug money and gun violence go together. Melbourne's underworld war proved that. But last Monday morning it intruded into the workaday world and innocent blood was spilled. The path that ended with death in William Street began at a factory in northern Spain, the Basque region that has produced terrorism for decades and cheap pistols for much longer. For most of the 20th century the area boasted three pistol-making plants, mostly making copies of American brands Colt and Smith & Wesson. One factory, run by the Gabilondo Y Cia company, made pistols at Vitoria until 2003, when it moved to Legutiano under a new name, Fabrinor. Arms dealers sell to whoever buys. In 1943, the firm supplied the Nazis in German-occupied territories with thousands of specially badged pistols. After the war it found new markets, including a niche for a two-shot "pistol" disguised as an office stapler, which authorities feared would be used by terrorists. From the mid-1990s until it closed in 2005 the firm was making 20,000 pistols a year, with 17,000 a year going to the gun-hungry US. It is almost certainly one of these that shot Brendan Keilar and the other two victims in Melbourne. So how did it get here? While it's possible the pistol was exported to the Philippines and then smuggled here by light plane or small boats through Papua New Guinea, Timor or the Pacific Islands, it is far more likely it came via America. It was probably bought there as part of a job lot for as little as $US400 ($A470) new or even $US200 second hand. And it's likely the buyer was fronting for an outlaw bikie gang with a proven smuggling route all fixed. Outlaw bikies are known for trafficking amphetamines. But their link with guns goes back further and runs deeper. When police raid bikie gangs looking for drugs they do not always find them, but they usually find firearms. Such as the raid on a Nomads clubhouse in suburban Thomastown in 2004 when a policeman accidentally kicked a step, which fell apart to reveal five handguns. A raid in country Victoria uncovered a cannon, two machine-guns and night-vision goggles. From their beginnings in the US after World War II, the "one percenter" outlaw gangs fostered an image of hard-living "cowboys" riding steel horses across a mythical frontier, guns on hips. A lot of rebel gang members were ex-military people who knew too much about guns to live without them. Next step was to trade in them, and so gun-running has also always been a bikie cash cow. Australian Hells Angels brought back the recipe for amphetamines from the US in the 1980s and bikies have dominated the "speed" trade here since. But guns, the other side of their business, still have to be imported. According to underworld sources and former police, the most common smuggling method is to hide pistols in engine blocks and mechanical parts imported from the US. "Bikies are constantly involved with cars and trucks. They loved bringing in big cars like Cadillacs to restore and drive around," says a former drug squad policeman. "They would fill the sump with stripped-down pistols." Sniffer dogs don't find guns covered in oil. And, hidden in engine blocks, they are undetected by X-rays. The only way to find them would be to intercept and strip every engine passing through every port. Barely one in 20 shipping containers is searched, so that's unlikely. Even if systematic searches were done at big ports such as Melbourne and Sydney, officials might not be as efficient at some smaller ports around Australia. Such as in Tasmania, for instance, not just Hobart but sleepy Burnie and Devonport. Underworld lore has it that most new black market pistols arrive in Melbourne from the south, across Bass Strait. If "the Territory" is the Deep North, Tasmania is the Deep South. Before the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, Tasmania was one of four states and territories with much laxer gun laws — and enforcement — than in more heavily populated Victoria and NSW. A sparse population scattered over a large area of wilderness, a tradition of hunting and fishing and a rural-based economy meant it had more in common with outback Queensland or the Northern Territory than with Victoria. Gun use there reflected that — at all levels of society. In a place where many people are related or connected, gun enthusiasts include police, prison and Customs officers as well as farmers, fishermen and forestry workers, some of whom resented the post-Port Arthur laws that demanded they hand in certain weapons. Not all did, hiding guns and creating a cache of "orphan" (unregistered) guns that became part of a black market linking some former mainstream shooters with underworld elements. Enter the bikies. Tasmania offers cheap land in isolated areas, yet is only a short plane trip or boat ride from Melbourne. Inevitably bikie gangs such as the Coffin Cheaters and the Black Uhlans saw it as a good place to do things away from prying eyes. Rural solitude is ideal for producing amphetamines and dealing in cannabis and guns. With the state's small population, low employment and depressed wages, the bikies and their associates exert influence with both muscle and money. It is widely known in underworld and police circles that large groups of bikies ride the Spirit of Tasmania back and forth regularly, and not to take the fresh air. Vehicles and luggage are not routinely searched and, in any case, the bikies are skilled hands at building caches for drugs and guns into vehicles. In theory, guns should be no easier to import to Tasmania's ports than those on the mainland. Anecdotally, they are. One reason is that until the 2001 terrorist attacks, US Navy ships regularly called into Hobart (and Fremantle) en route to the Middle East. Authorities either deny or ignore it for diplomatic reasons, but it is a fact that US sailors routinely smuggled in large numbers of handguns, easily done because they do not have to clear Customs. There is proof this also happened in Melbourne, and every reason to think it still happens in any port where US war ships call for rest and recreation. On November 12, 1998, for instance, the huge aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln anchored in the Derwent River and most of its 5500 sailors came ashore over five days. One group carried a wooden crate through the rudimentary "beach guard" on Princes Wharf, hailed a taxi and went to a nightclub for a pre-arranged meeting. Inside were 40 new Colt .45 calibre semi-automatic pistols, a favourite US military sidearm. Not only lethal handguns, these were prized collectors' items commanding a premium that made the crate of 40 worth more than $100,000 on the black market. Today, they would be worth up to three times as much, an indication of how the black market has been inflated by drug money, and the alarming penchant of nightclub poseurs to carry "a piece". Although smuggling guns is an easy way for American sailors (and soldiers) to raise local currency, the aircraft carrier crew was not after money this time. As part of a pre-arranged plan, it swapped the crate of pistols for another crate. This held a breeding pair of young Tasmanian devils, trapped to order a few days before near Richmond, east of Hobart. Americans are fascinated by the animals because of the popularity of the Warner Bros cartoon character Taz. The devils were smuggled on board the ship. And the pistols? Almost all of them were taken to the mainland and sold covertly, not all to active criminals. A former policeman, posted to the Melbourne docks to protect US ships from anti-nuclear protesters in the mid-1980s, recalls several of his colleagues swapping their police jackets for new pistols taken from the ship's armoury. "The first time I went was for the USS Sterett. For some reason the crew were mad on collecting jackets everywhere they went. Obviously the armoury officer had done a deal with the sailors, because they would take your jacket, then direct you to the armoury guy and he would give you the pistol," the former policeman told The Sunday Age. "The funny thing was that every time a (US) warship came into port after that, cops would be running around collecting jackets to swap for pistols. They must have got dozens. From memory they were nine-millimetre Berettas."
US Navy ships have visited Australian ports only rarely since September 11, 2001. But plenty of cruise ships and freighters do, and dozens of them visit Tasmania's ports. Somehow, somewhere, illegal handguns are flowing in unchecked, according to underworld and police sources. In Melbourne's northern suburbs, underground dealers have boxes full of American-made handguns: Colts, Rugers and Smith & Wessons, in calibres from .22 to .45. Most sell for about $5000 each, but $20,000 will get five, allowing a cashed-up buyer to sell four to others and keep one "for nothing". Those willing to take the risk can drive them to Sydney, where they bring up to $8000 each. The most favoured pistols are the most concealable: like the lives of most of those who buy them, they are nasty, brutish and short. And every one that ends up on the streets, under a car seat or stuck down the back of someone's jeans is only a heartbeat away from repeating the horror of what happened in Melbourne last Monday. Perhaps those who buy them should know that when Christopher Wayne Hudson gave himself up after two days on the run, his left wrist was cut to the bone. Regrets; he's had a few. Vaile: Handguns are banned in Australia The Deputy PM, Mark Vaile today declared that all handguns are banned in Australia (as seen on Lateline on the ABC tonight). I guess it shows just how close he is to his constituents.... Opinion piece in the Herald Sun The Herald Sun today published an opinion piece submitted by our President, Bill Paterson. Click here to see it. Sue's missed opportunity
You would think that with the Greens Leader, Bob Brown, charging out of the stalls with a "let's ban handguns" message, that the Greens in the Victorian state parliament would come out equally revved up on the handgun issue. ... but no ... Instead the Greens Sue Pennicuik opted to quote from the highly reputable and well researched website of John Crook's Gun Control Australia, and asked the Minister for Police for "an urgent investigation" into the number of unrecovered stolen guns .... and monitoring of the safekeeping of firearms .....
On its website it states that the number of illegal guns is far too high and suggests that it is time gun sales took place only though specially adapted police stations; and that guns are far too dangerous an item, too cheap, too technically deceptive, too easily convertible and concealable to be part of the normal economic trading process."
PM goes after shooters again! Following the shootings in Melbourne earlier today, self confessed gun hater, PM Howard has again used the event to push his personal views. The following appeared on The Age's website today:
Prime Minister John Howard says Australia has very strict handgun laws but he is ready to talk to state premiers about whether they should be tightened.
<...snip...> "You know one of the first things I did as prime minister was ensure a massive additional ban of the use of longarms. "As to handguns, we certainly do have very strict laws but I'm always ready to talk to the state premiers who have control over these matters about whether they can and ought to be strengthened.
Let us not forget this comes about a year after he said Australia could 'go further' on firearm laws after the 10th anniversary of the Port Arthur tragedy and after two previous gun buybacks. Softer words in an election year don't mean they carry any less weight. It's not exactly an intelligent position to take in an election year when shooters in New South Wales and Victoria have both shown they are getting their acts together (politically) and where the state governments are taking a far more practical approach to firearm usage and safety. Fortunately one of the PM's colleagues, Justice Minister David Johnston has been more practical. This is what appeared on the Herald Sun's website today:
June 18, 2007 01:20pm
THE shooting tragedy in Melbourne reinforces the need for states to redouble their efforts in addressing the firearms black market, Justice Minister David Johnston says.
<...snip...>
Senator Johnston said Australia's handgun laws do not need tightening but the states should do more to address the firearms black market.
"I know that it is very, very, difficult for a law abiding citizen to obtain a handgun," Mr Johnston told reporters.
"If someone wants to purchase a concealable weapon on the black market they will probably be successful, all we can do is continue to make people aware of the very serious penalties for having unlicensed firearms and be vigilant.
"In circumstances where these are black market firearms it simply underlines the necessity for states to redouble their efforts to try and crack down on these illegal handguns."
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty also dismissed suggestions that a policy change was needed to make streets safer. Now, as it turns out, the chap being sought by police is reportedly a member of the Hells Angels. We have other information that shows there is no way he would be likely to hold a shooters licence. The CFCV was thinking about staying out of this year's federal election. However the PM's comments have changed that particularly in the Victorian marginal seats. Herald Sun's weak and inaccurate article on us The Herald Sun has published the following in today's edition, confirming what most people think about the quality of tabloids:
GUN lessons will be introduced into primary schools if the Victorian firearms lobby has its way.
The state's biggest pro-gun group wants children as young as 10 to be given firearms safety lessons and a chance to shoot.
Combined Firearms Council of Victoria president Bill Paterson said controlled use of real guns would counter damage done to children who use firearms for virtual killing in video games.
A $200,000 government pledge for gun safety education in this year's state Budget should be used to fund the program, Mr Paterson said.
But parent groups have criticised the scheme, saying it would not be appropriate for primary schools and city-based secondary students.
The story is weak in that it uses the sensationalist heading of "Guns in schools" when this is not a "show and tell" day with daddy's shotgun in the classroom, but about firearm safety awareness to reduce the level of firearm related accidents. The story is inaccurate in at least the respects listed above.
(Further, what I'd like to know is does the Herald Sun oppose firearm safety - particularly given stories it has previously published on shooting accidents involving minors ?) Melbourne Shot Show The 2007 Shot Expo was held at the Melbourne Showgrounds over this weekend, and by all accounts, it has been a major success.
There were over 70 exihibitors with over 140 booths, and enough merchanise to make any shooters' mouth water - everybody from the hunter, to the target shooter, to the collector to the bowhunter. The event was well attended, with numbers exceeding expectations. In fact it was sometimes difficult to walk down the wide aisles at peak times because of the number of people there. Well done to the SSAA for organising what will obviously need to become a regular event. Levy criticises Government over shotgun education program Anti duck shooting campaigner, Laurie Levy, has come out against the government's $200,000 shotgun education program designed to assist hunters. 3AW reported him as claiming it was to enable shooters "to shoot straight". Levy's criticism comes out 6 months after the Labor Party announced the program in it's election commitments and after the budget announcement nearly a fortnight ago. State budget delivers for shooters The Victorian State Government today handed down it's budget for 2007/08. As anticipated, it confirmed election commitments previously made to Victoria's 200,000 licensed shooters. In particular, it confirmed:
This is truly great news for shooters, primarily as it demonstrates the efforts of organisations like the CFCV and its member organisations to secure political support for the shooting sports. Nationals confused over fox bounty: Labor State Agriculture Minister, Joe Helper, says that the Nationals are confused over the fox bounty. He said claims by the National Party's leader, Peter Ryan, that the bounty was not statewide when it was announced late last month were nonsense.
"The Nationals clearly haven’t read the press release," Mr Helper said.
"When I announced this bounty, I clearly stated that while the drop-off points for the bounty would be concentrated in bushfire-affected regions it would run across the state," he said. Click here to see the press release. Second shooter elected in NSW In news that has major implications for Victoria, the following message has been received from Robert Brown, MLC in NSW for the Shooters Party.
On a primary vote of 106,000, Roy was elected at number 20, ahead of the last coalition candidate.
The election of Roy has been the result of much hard work from all of you, and I pass on my sincere thanks for your efforts.
Now the hard work in the Council begins, and both Roy and I are looking forward to meeting the needs of our constituents.
Remember, we work for you and we would welcome invitations to attend clubs or events to discuss any relevant firearms or political issues with you and your colleagues.
Robert. The CFCV was instrumental in denying the Greens the balance of power in Victoria at last Novembers state election - this result now seems to have been replicated in New South Wales albeit with direct political representation. We are a few years behind our counterparts in NSW, but the result of their result is a demonstration of what can be achieved elsewhere. Well done Robert and Roy! Proposed amendments to Firearms Act The Department of Justice (Vic) has just issued a consultation paper on proposed amendments to the Firearms Act 1996. This is an important document and we would encourage you to respond to the issues raised in it by the submission date of 23 April. You can view / download it from
this link on the DOJ website. Don't forget to take advantage of this opportunity. Government announces return of 'foxlotto'. The Age has reported that the Victorian Government is about to launch a $1 million bounty scheme for the culling of wild dogs and foxes in bushfire-prone areas.
The program, expected to run for six months, will target increasing numbers of wild dogs and foxes after recent bushfires in Victoria's north-east, south-west and Gippsland.
The report says Agriculture Minister Joe Helper said animals were roaming more widely in search of food after the fires and the bounty would help crack down on them.
The Department of Primary Industries will offer $10 for foxes and $50 for wild dogs.
The Bushfire Recovery Fox and Wild Dog Bounty Program is part of the government's multi-million dollar Bushfire Recovery Package to be unveiled soon.
Senate estimates stares Australia Post down on firearms ban. Just over a week ago, the Corporate Secretary for Australia Post, Michael McCloskey, appeared before a Senates Estimates Committee to respond to concerns about the company's ban on international transportation of firearms / firearm parts (-the ban was lifted just three days beforehand). Copies of the hearing were kindly sent out to interested persons by Senator Ronaldson and we thank him for it. What is clear from the transcript that Mr McCloskey not only initially refused to apologise for Aus Post's inconvenience for shooters, but that his company's original premise for the ban was fatally flawed. He later apologised when it became clear that he could not adequately explain his company's handling of this matter. It is not clear if the company's action (based on 'legal advice') was ever justified in writing (despite having been "reviewed externally"), however it may simply be how the transcript reads. It is also clear that Australia Post became aware that the "81 instances" (where the international processing line had stopped due to the presence of firearms or parts) was not only false (which some observers have been aware of for some time) but that it had know this for at least the last six months. Click here to read the relevant part of the estimates committee hearing.
In the meantime, here are some passages from Senator Ronaldson at the hearing, which will be of interest to readers:
"You are obviously not going to apologise (to shooters), which I find very disappointing, and others will judge post on that. Quite frankly, you should be damned by your inactivity to this matter. I think it has been appallingly handled..."
"Australia Post has not acted in good faith in relation to this, and I think it is deplorable that you are not prepared to apologise to these people."
It is also worthy to note that while the CFCV pursued this matter through political channels, it was in fact a collaborative effort on the part of a number of other people and organisations some of whom have nothing to do with the CFCV and some who live interstate. In some cases it involved people who don't want the spotlight cast upon them hence we won't name names.
Australia Post backs down on firearm importation ban. Not that we normally advertise this, but on Tuesday 6 Feb, we circulated our parliamentary briefing note to most state MPs ahead of the current session of State Parliament on matters of importance to the CFCV. One of those matters, Australia Post's ban on the importation of firearms and firearm parts, was one of those of importance to us and has been raised in briefings provided last year. While the timing may be coincidental, on 9 February, this press release from Senator Helen Coonan was issued declaring an end to the ban. That's what being political can achieve! However recognition in combatting this is due to other shooting organisations and the Firearm Traders Association. A great collective effort! Academic reports reject PM's view on firearms agreement In 2006 pro-shooting academics, Dr. Jeanine Baker and Samara McPhedran released a report demonstrating that the buyback following the 1996 National Firearms Agreement did not affect the existing downward trend in firearm homicide in Australia. Click here to read it. A few months later, anti-gun campaigners Simon Chapman and Philip Alpers released a report stating the opposite. Click here to read it. Both reports covered aspects such as suicides, accidents and firearm thefts. While the conclusions were vastly different, the statistical analyses conducted by both groups showed identical outcomes: that is, there was no statistically significant acceleration in the downward trend for firearm homicide post 1996, and that the decline for firearm suicide was in line with a drop in the overall suicide rate. In addition, you will see from reading the reports (available from our website) that Baker / McPhedran supported each aspect of their statistical analysis with discussion. Chapman and Alpers did not do this in key areas, such as their comparison of firearm homicides with all homicides. This left important gaps in their report.
Don Weatherburn, Director of the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research has backed the findings of the Baker / McPhedran report. The report was published in the British Journal of Criminology and was thus peer reviewed before publication. Baker / McPhedran have since critiqued the Chapman / Alpers report, and we are yet to see what the response is. Click here to read the critique. The Chapman / Alpers report, which strongly supported the position taken by Prime Minister Howard, was published in a Canadian based injury prevention magazine. Their position, clearly the weaker of the two, has since been endorsed by Mr Howard. You be the judge.
- updated 25 November 2007.
- updated 18 November 2007.
- updated 12 November 2007.
- updated 9 November 2007.
- updated 4 November 2007.
- updated 3 November 2007.
- updated 23 October 2007.
- updated 15 October 2007.
GUNS ownership should be completely banned in South Australia, Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Pallaras claims.
Like a similar recent report out of Victoria, Pallaras does not seem to even support the police having firearms.
- updated 14 October 2007.
(Clicking on the photo will take you to a page with more photos from the event)
- updated 13 October 2007.
- updated 12 October 2007.Richard Dalla-Riva - State, LP (Eastern Metropolitan MLC)
So there you have it. A number of MPs who didn't seem as keen as Mr Barber to have police crawl up our backsides with microscopes. A number of MPs talked about their familiarity with firearms - and apart from Mr Barber - universal commendation of the FCC process.
"The argument that automatic renewal would reduce the time spent by Victoria Police in processing renewal applications is short-circuited by the fact that Victoria Police would be undertaking a lot more spot checks, as it were - going to a lot more effort on sample checks on firearm owners"
".... some of those changes have placed some rather onerous conditions on firearm ownership and use and there has been some resentment out there in the community. One can understand exactly why that resentment is being experienced. Nevertheless, I pay the greatest commendation to the various firearms user groups who I think have responded very responsibly and fairly and have been more than accepting of what have been some onerous conditions imposed upon them. To that extent I commend them for the way in which they have responded."
"(I observed that) within a few short days of the Labor government releasing its policy document Hunting and 4-Wheel Driving Opportunities in Victoria, the Country Alliance announced where its preferences were going and they were going to the Labor Party ahead of certain other parties in certain electorates, which just turned out to be those electorates where the Labor Party needed them the most."
"I think the indication from the
Combined Firearms Council of Victoria that its members generally support the amendments contained in the bill indicate that the consultative committee very much deserves congratulation for the work it has undertaken. It is not just me saying that, but stakeholders, and that is a very good outcome."
"The point has to be made that just because somebody has a gun, it does not put them in a category of being sub-human. Just because somebody has a gun, it does not make them a potential mass murderer. Just because somebody has a gun, it does not put them in the category of being a pathological criminal. There are thousands — perhaps hundreds of thousands — of shooters in my part of Melbourne but also throughout Victoria and Australia who are good, law-abiding people who would not think for one moment about breaking any law and who have the utmost respect for the principles that enshrine the rule of law in this country."
"I am a supporter of the right of sporting shooters to pursue their sport, to enjoy it and to share it with their families and friends. I have friends who are sporting shooters and I know they enjoy what they do. It is not something I have particularly engaged in, but that is entirely appropriate. I know that at our farm and all the other farms in our district and elsewhere there is a necessary use of firearms, as there is a necessary use of firearms in a range of other professions, such as security. There is no need for anybody to be out vilifying anybody."
"I know that at the Victorian state election in 1996, for instance, there was through the ballot box in regional areas especially a movement of the vote away from the conservative parties, which related directly to the ownership and use of firearms."
"They promote firearm safety as an absolute must. It is worthwhile placing on record my record for
those organisations in our community that promote firearm safety rather than talking them down, as some
have. It is also important that we acknowledge that you do not solve a problem regarding firearms by
demonising those who are adhering to the law and going out of their way to comply with it, and make sure
that the laws and regulations that govern firearms are tight, strong and contemporary, keeping up with the
views of modern society. "
"In terms of recreational users, the DLP supports the option for responsible firearm users to own guns where they are properly regulated. Like Mr Finn, we believe that such people should not be vilified and that there are many good, decent citizens who own guns for recreational purposes and there should be no assumption that they are somehow potential criminals."
- updated 11 October 2007.
- updated 23 September 2007.
Andrew McIntosh - State, LP (Kew MLA)
We're not making any editorial comments on this just yet. However we are more than likely do so in the next few days after further key discussions are held.
"I say from the very outset that the use of firearms is very much a legitimate activity when they are used in accordance with the law. It is a wonderful recreational activity, and we all celebrate victories at the Olympic Games by people such as Michael Diamond and others, including Russell Mark, who has now become familiar in Victoria as a commentator on ABC radio."
"The biggest concern that has been raised with me is the issue of missed opportunities. Firearm groups have raised a number of issues with me that they see as still needing to be addressed in the interests of accountability and fairness of the administration of the legislation and ensuring the intent of the firearms control legislation, which is to protect public safety while enabling legal firearm ownership to continue."
"I turn now to the reasoned amendment proposed by The Nationals. I must say that I am particular surprised and actually a little bit disappointed by it .... Members of the government thought that there was pretty much unanimity of agreement. The reasoned amendment has really come from left field -- or should I say right field -- in that The Nationals are proposing a reasoned amendment in relation to automatic licensing. I think that there is an element of grandstanding here which is not necessary at all because it is not something that has been particularly called for by stakeholders. "
"There are continual delays, frustrations and real problems with the registration system. Many genuine people who have firearms continually find themselves in the illegal situation of not having their firearms registered simply because the system of firearm registration is grossly understaffed, underresourced and the cause of delay and frustrations. I would urge the government, as well as introducing legislation, to look at the management of firearm registration in Victoria, because the current management of the system is not up to scratch and certainly needs to be improved."
"I agree with the member for Yan Yean that on this particular issue there is an element of grandstanding in his position, and that his amendment -- which I understand is designed to create an automatic provision for a renewal of licences -- would breach the national agreement which the state is party to."
"I have grown up around guns all of my life and so have all my children. As a child in England we used guns for target shooting and to shoot rabbits for meat. Often that was the only meat we had during that week and so we had to use them. Always along the way safety was of prime consideration."
"I well remember back in 1998 when my predecessor as the member for Mornington, Robin Cooper, was the shadow Minister for Police and Emergency Services, and this issue was yet again on foot. The number of abusive phone calls that came into his office and the number of large people with a threatening manner who appeared in the doorway endeavouring to sway debate one way or another was very unfortunate."
"The amendment proposes a common-sense solution to a bureaucratic problem by instituting an automatic renewal process, with safeguards, to substantially reduce the amount of work of the LSD. This issue has been raised repeatedly with The Nationals over the years. It was most recently raised by the Combined Firearms Council of Victoria, which represents most major shooting organisations, in a written submission to the member for Benalla."
"We have come a long way: politicians do not play with guns anymore. "
"The debate surrounding firearms is always about a balance between respecting the recreational aspects of shooting and the community's expectations of having in place a strong regulatory regime to protect the community. It is about enhancing community safety while preserving the privileges of responsible firearms owners. That is an important point to note."
- updated 22 September 2007.
Nationals Spokesperson for Police, Bill Sykes had to withstand a full blooded attack by Labor MPs in Parliament this week when he moved a motion to simplify the renewal of firearms licences.
Well tried, Bill. The fact you have gone into bat for us so hard is appreciated, and will be remembered.
- updated 20 September 2007.
- updated 19 September 2007.
- updated 17 September 2007.
- updated 9 September 2007.
- updated 3 September 2007.
- updated 23 August 2007.
Community outrage at approval of a new gun shop at Roseville is a clear sign the Iemma Labor Government needs to regulate where gun shops are allowed to open within suburban areas, Shadow Minister for Planning Brad Hazzard and Liberal Member for Davidson Jonathan O’Dea said today.
It would seem to Mr O'Dea that community demand does not matter - after all, wouldn't the commercial demand for a gun shop reveal whether or not the community really does want a shop there?
- updated 22 August 2007.
- updated 22 August 2007.NSW planning laws fail to protect kids from gun shops
If you can find us one solitary example of a genuine planning issue involving a gun shop (such as long hours of operation, unsociable behaviour, traffic congestion etc), or anything to support what the Greens have said, then please let us know!"Planning Minister Frank Sartor says he is willing to consider reclassifying gun shops as restricted premises, making it harder for them to receive planning approval from the state's councils.
However if you read further down, you'll see he says he would be loathe to get involved in this particular matter, or even use his powers in a more general sense. So it is possible Planning Minister Sartor may not be as anti-gun as reported in the article."Roseville's torture over a proposed gunshop in a shopping strip opposite a childcare centre is nothing new and most of the arguments raised last night in a two-hour public meeting were emotional rather than rational.
The fight is not over. It could equally be over a new shooting range, where bullets are actually (and obviously!) fired.
- updated 22 August 2007.
- updated 21 August 2007.
- updated 21 August 2007.
Dear Editor,
Yours sincerely
The Shooters Party
- updated 20 August 2007.
- updated 10 August 2007.
- updated 9 August 2007.
Mr FINN (Western Metropolitan) — I wish to raise a matter for the attention of the Minister for Police and
Emergency Services in the other place. Members of this house would be aware of my concerns about the direction the police force in Victoria is taking under the present chief commissioner. However, they will be relieved to learn that tonight I am not asking the minister to remove the chief commissioner from her position — although if the minister wishes to do that, I
certainly will not oppose him.
He went on to seek the Minister's assurance that the policy espoused by Supt Kent is never implemented.
- updated 9 August 2007.
- updated 8 August 2007.
- updated 2 August 2007.
- updated 28 July 2007.
- updated 18 July 2007.
- updated 18 July 2007.
- updated 12 July 2007.
- updated 12 June 2007.
- updated 6 June 2007.
- updated 4 July 2007.
Herald Sun.
Also interviewed was Adjunct Professor Philip Alpers. We understand Alpers once held a firearms licence in New Zealand. One person there told us "he went along as a visitor to Manukau Small Bore Rifle but was kicked off after making anti-gun comments about .22 rifles." He now argues that all illegal guns start off as legal ones. Sort of like trying to argue that all opium started off being legal...
- updated 26 June 2007.
Survivor jailed over shotgun
Geoff Wilkinson
25 June 2007
- updated 24 June 2007.The death dealers
Andrew Rule
June 24, 2007
- updated 22 June 2007.
- updated 21 June 2007.
- updated 20 June 2007.
"According to Gun Control Australia, the two major weaknesses in our gun laws are the abysmally low level of training required before you are granted a shooters licence, and the organisational structure through which guns can be legally acquired.
- updated 18 June 2007.PM 'open to talks' about handgun laws
So there you go. While the PM wasn't actually pushing the "let's ban 'em" message, he wasn't exactly defending shooters either. His statements are code for "I haven't got enough information about today's shooting to hang the shooters again just yet".
Gun laws defended
- updated 10 June 2007.
Guns in schools
A few points to clarify ...
June 10, 2007 12:00am
- updated 27 May 2007.
- updated 13 May 2007.
- updated 1 May 2007.
It also confirmed the $1m fox bounty for 2007/08.
- updated 2 April 2007.
- updated 10 April 2007.
The NSW Electoral Commission has today declared the polls from the recent State election and Roy Smith has won a second seat in the Upper House for the Shooters Party.
The significance is that as we are seeing in Victoria, shooters are getting better politically organised.
Robert Brown, MLC
The Shooters' Party
Parliament House Sydney
- updated 2 April 2007.
- updated 28 March 2007.
- updated 21 February 2007.
"Mr McCloskey, we are now upping the language to justify the position. It is the first time that you have ever mentioned 'criminal liability' (with respect to transporting firearms / parts across state boundaries) in Senate estimates. You made a unilateral decision based on a false premise and attempted to cover it up by bringing in the states."
So there you have it. It was a big bucketing and quite rightly so.
- updated 13 February 2007.
- updated 21 January 2007.