The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to implementing a national firearms registry as it announces the arrival of US firearm experts who will train Australian police.
The US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms officers will be running firearm identification training for state, territory and federal police as well as members of customs and other Australian agencies.
“The ATF are the experts in firearm identification and their skills will be very valuable to our State and Federal Police and Customs officers,” Minister for Home Affairs and Justice Jason Clare said.
The arrival of the US officers is the latest stage in the rollout of a number of federal measures aimed at combating the illegal gun market.
This includes the registry as well as the introduction of a ballistics identification network, new firearm trafficking offences that bring penalties of life in jail, greater resources for the Crime Commission and improved cooperation between agencies.
No update on the registry’s progress was given, but it is known that models are being assessed and it is due to be presented to state police ministers this year.
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