Hands off those guns

Police ban 99 people from owning, using firearms in Tassie

NEARLY 100 Tasmanians including violent thugs, drug traffickers and firearm offenders have been banned from owning guns by the Police Commissioner.

Since the introduction of landmark firearms laws, in the wake of the 1996 Port Arthur tragedy, 99 people have been served with firearm prohibition orders in Tasmania.

The orders allow the Police Commissioner to ban someone from owning or using guns if it is in the “public interest”.

Confirmation of the figures comes as the debate over gun control reignites with concerns firearms laws are being watered down.

This week, the prime minister who ushered in Australia’s tough gun laws after the killings at Port Arthur, wrote to voters urging them not to vote for the Shooters’ party.

Former PM John Howard said the party’s “first priority is to fundamentally weaken our existing firearms laws”. The party rejects the claim. Tasmania Police said there were currently 99 people subject to prohibition orders.

“The orders usually relate to someone who would never be granted a firearms licence as they would not be considered ‘fit & proper’ under the Act,” Firearm Services Inspector Kathy Bennett said.

“Firearm prohibition orders are normally issued to individ- uals who have a history of firearms offences, crimes of violence, including family violence … firearms-related crime, drug trafficking et cetera.”

In 2013 the orders were beefed up to make it a criminal offence punishable by 21 years jail to possess or use a firearm while subject to a prohibition order.

Since then five people have been charged under the stricter regimen.

The new laws also applied to people supplying guns to people under an order.

Since 2013, 25 people have been charged with 32 offences relating to breaching prohibition orders under the state’s Criminal Code and Firearm Offences Act.

Four years ago police also reassessed the firearms prohibition order scheme and broadened their target to criminals who use firearms to commit crimes.

“Importantly the changes widen the definition of ‘possession’,” Insp Bennett said.

“For example, previously police had to prove a person owned a firearm found at a property.

“[Now] under a Firearms Prohibition Order a person is deemed in possession of a firearm if they are in the same property or vehicle et cetera as the firearm.”

Insp Bennett said police wanted to “use every legislative tool” available to target offenders.

“Community safety is a priority, and we acknowledge the seriousness and social impact of any incident involving a firearm,” she said.