Media Release:8 July 2018

Gun Control Australia is calling for a revamp of licensing requirements for shooters involved in family law disputes

Gun Control Australia (GCA) is calling for the implementation of robust new family law firearm safety checks to better protect women and children from gun violence.

The call comes after the recent horrific shooting of two teenagers in West Pennant Hills.

The family law firearm safety checks would be compulsory and required to be undertaken once a custody proceeding has been lodged in the Family Court. The checks would include:

• Firearm Licence Review, and
• Spousal notification for all new applications for a firearm licence and permits to acquire a firearm application

Firearm Licence Review

The Firearm Licence Review (FLR) would require police to check if any party to the family court proceedings has a gun licence and if so, if there is any concern for the safety for the firearm licence holder, their immediate family or the public. The police would have the power to suspend or revoke a licence or not issue a permit.

Spousal notification

Spousal notification would require police to notify the spouse/ partner who is a party to family law custody proceedings when the other party has a gun licence or has made an application for a firearm licence or an application to obtain a permit to acquire a licence. The notification would then allow the spouse/partner to object to the continuation of the licence or the application on the grounds of concerns for personal safety to himself, herself or others.

Samantha Lee, Director of GCA states, “Current gun laws fail to adequately to protect women and children from gun violence because the law requires an AVO to be in place or a charge for a criminal offence before a firearm may be revoked or suspend. By then, it may be to late to save a life.”

“What GCA wants to see happen is a more pro-active approach which gives woman a voice in the gun licence continuation, application or acquisition.”

System failed to review Mr Edwards’ gun licence and ownership.

GCA has various concerns about the monitoring of Mr John Edwards’ gun licence and ownership. These concerns include:

• Mr Edwards legally owned several firearms. He would have lodged a separate Permit to Acquire (PTA) for each firearm. He would have needed to specify a legitimate reason for wanting each firearm along with a good reason for acquiring additional firearms. (s. 31 Firearms Act 1996). It is impossible to see he had a good reason.

• He had to declare he could satisfy the safe-keeping of all firearms. Did anyone check his storage requirements?

• For a high-powered handgun he had to obtain a written statement by the relevant shooting club secretary or relevant office holder to obtain the PTA and the licence. He clearly deceived that person.

• A club must suspend or cancel membership if the member fails to meet club requirements.

• Having had two kinds of pistols he was required to participate in a minimum of 8 shooting activities during a compliance period. Did he meet these minimum shooting requirements in order to qualify for a high powered pistol licence?

• The pistol club requires a character reference before allowing membership. Did this occur?

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-06/pennant-hills-shooting-of-teens-sydney-father-planned-attack/9947470

The ABC can reveal a report from Tasmania Police to the Liberal Government found its policy to water down firearm laws risked breaching the National Firearms Agreement, with none of the commitments costed or funding identified.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-21/liberals-gun-policy-criticised-in-police-report-as-uncosted/9890910

31 May 2018

Gun Control Australia Takes Tasmanian Premier to Court Over Gun Laws

MEDIA RELEASE

Gun Control Australia has announced it has commenced proceedings in the Supreme Court of Tasmania against the Premier of Tasmania seeking to have reviewed a decision by the Premier to refuse the release of information under the Right to Information Act 2009.

In late February 2018 the Government released a firearms policy which proposed to move Tasmania away from the 1996 National Firearms Agreement.

The Premier said at the time he had advice from his Police Minister that the policy did not contravene the National Firearms Agreement.

Under the Right to Information Act Gun Control Australia Inc. sought release of the advice referred to by the Premier.

The Premier by his delegate refused release of the information. He concluded that “it would be contrary to the public interest to release” the information sought.

The application for judicial review is listed in the Supreme Court on the 18^th June 2018 at 10am for directions.

TASMANIANS OPPOSE WEAKENING OF GUN LAWS

As the Tasmanian government proposes to Liberalise Tasmania’s gun laws in breach of the National Firearms Agreement, a ReachTEL poll shows significant public opposition.

The poll, taken on Wednesday 2^nd May 2018 asked 1,188 Tasmanian voters:

The Tasmanian government wants to change the National Firearms Agreement to increase access to semi-automatic rifles and shotguns for target shooting. Do you support or oppose this change?

A significant majority – 68% - oppose the government’s plan.   Just over 50% of Liberal voters were opposed (see poll results attached).

Gun Control Australia Vice-President Roland Browne said that support for the National Firearms Agreement (in its current terms) across Australia  had been very strong since 1996. This poll confirmed the support continues in Tasmania.

“The poll results also confirm most Tasmanians want to feel safe and don’t want Premier Hodgman to make semi-automatic rifles available (again).  It would take Tasmania back to pre-Port Arthur massacre gun laws, it would undermine the National Firearms Agreement, and it would make Tasmania a laughing stock across Australia.”

Mr Browne said “It’s bad policy and there’s little public support.  What’s worse, it was hidden from the electorate before the election.  Premier Hodgman has no mandate on this one.”

Under the 1996 National Firearms Agreement Tasmania banned possession of semi-automatic rifles for most civilian purposes, including recreational shooting. The Tasmanian government wants to change the National Firearms Agreement to increase access to semi-automatic rifles and shotguns for target shooting.

Do you support or oppose this change?

An Australia's street artist, Peter Drew is taking his art to America. His new project will prompt American's to look to Australia for gun law reform.

The Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association will not be disappointed if proposed changes to Tasmania's gun laws are not implemented.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-04/tasmanian-farmers-not-gunning-for-changes-to-firearms-laws/9618526

The 1996 National Firearms Agreement is being destroyed after a decade of political pressure by the gun lobby.

GCA commissioned an independent report into the state of Australia's gun laws. The report has found over 50 breaches of the National Firearms Agreement. 

GCA wants the Prime Minister to stop talking about Australia's great gun laws and state talking about how he will stop the wreckage.

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/mar/26/australian-gun-control-advocates-call-for-federal-intervention-as-states-bow-to-firearms-lobby

To see full report click here:

https://sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2017/10/05/australia-slipping-backwards-on-national-firearms-agreement.html

Former deputy PM warns of 'pushback' against Australia's gun laws.

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/mar/18/tim-fischer-warns-nra-inspired-firearms-lobby-targeting-australias-gun-laws

https://twitter.com/billshortenmp?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor