National Cabinet’s decision to explore options to implement a National Firearms Register is
welcome, but our gun laws still don’t meet standards agreed 27 years ago.
National Cabinet’s decision to explore options to implement a National Firearms Register is
welcome, but our gun laws still don’t meet standards agreed 27 years ago.
welcome, but our gun laws still don’t meet standards agreed 27 years ago.
The leadership shown today by Australian governments represents an important step
forward.
However, following the 1996 Port Arthur massacre in Tasmania, all states and territories
agreed to comply with the National Firearms Agreement – yet no state or territory currently
does.
The agreement endorsed a national gun register which is only now being created.
National Cabinet must now quickly move to see all agreed safety measures implemented to
protect Australian communities and police from gun violence.
The shadowy gun lobby with its undue influence in Australian politics has successfully
picked-off individual states and territories over time, weakening the agreement.
This weakening of or non-compliance with the National Firearms Agreement’s minimum
standards puts everyone at risk.
Lax Australian gun laws led to the preventable Port Arthur massacre in which 35 people
were murdered, including young children, by a lone gunman.
Unfortunately, it has taken the cold-blooded murders of young Queensland police officers
Matthew Arnold and Rachel McCrow and neighbour Alan Dare to force governments to act.
Let’s not again be forced into rear-guard action on safety measures first agreed 27 years
ago.
There are 3.8 million privately owned guns in Australia, and registration is critical to solving
crimes and ensuring the integrity of gun licencing.
In addition to a National Firearms Register, we need full compliance with the National
Firearms Agreement, and period reviews to ensure the Agreement keeps pace with new
weapons technologies and community expectations.
Gun Control Australia represents the will of Australians who support uniform, effective and
sensible firearms legislation and policy. Our policy platform outlines the actions needed to
keep Australians safe.
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