Is the NSW ammo control law being touted in other states? The Shooters Union of Queensland has expressed concern that new ammunition control legislation may soon spread beyond NSW borders, following visits between NSW Police Minister Michael Gallacher and some of his interstate counterparts.
Mr Gallacher and federal Minister for Home Affairs Jason Clare together visited Queensland’s new Police Minister, Jack Dempsey, to discuss issues relating to “the national scourge of gun crime”.
Gallacher said he also had plans to visit other states to discuss the same issues, but he did not reveal details of what is being covered.
“While we don’t know what they talked about, we hope they were addressing the criminal misuse of firearms,” Shooters Union secretary Rob Harrold said.
“The only problem is that their solution to criminal misuse so far is to restrict ammunition sales – and worse!”
The NSW government was so intent on pushing through its ammunition control legislation that it did so despite its own members speaking against it, and the Labor opposition likewise supported its passage in the face of almost universal criticism.
Almost no one expects the legislation to dent gun crime, yet the law will be a significant impost on shooters and retailers as well as a potential security risk as it requires dealers to keep records of buyers’ details.
The Shooters Union also restated its opposition to the registration of toy guns and replicas, although it supported prosecution of anyone using one with criminal intent.
“We should prosecute criminals, not collectors,” Mr Harrold said. “How good would that be?”
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