‘No positives’ in gun laws

Shooters dismiss firearms rules

TASMANIA’S Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party has declared the state has never suffered a gun problem in a passionate submission to a state government inquiry into firearm laws.

In a statement in stark contrast to the bulk of the 64 submissions to the inquiry, party firearms spokesman Carlo DiFalco wrote the National Firearms Agreement had had no positive impact.

“After 20 plus years under the National Firearms Agreement it is now time for all stakeholders to acknowledge the fact that the NFA has not saved one life or positively contributed anything tangible in relation to public safety,” Mr DiFalco said.

The House of Assembly inquiry into Tasmania’s firearm laws was triggered after the state Liberal Party in March signalled its intention to extend gun licences, downgrade some breaches of gun storage laws and extend ownership of some weapons, such as pumpaction shotguns, to sporting shooters.

Liberal party veteran Ronald Cornish, who was part of the negotiating team that helped reform Tasmania’s gun laws after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, stated his strong opposition to any changes to firearms legislation.

“I am proud that Tasmania was to the forefront in introducing laws which are now the envy of the world,” Mr Cornish said.

“I am immensely proud that the government of which I was a member, did not weaken and delivered reforms. I fear that the current government will proceed with its illadvised policy.”

Several of the submissions expressed fears widening access to guns would result in more suicides.

Many people who wrote to the Lower House inquiry’s committee said they were personally affected by the Port Arthur tragedy.

One woman wrote: “As a social worker present at Royal Hobart Hospital at the time of the Port Arthur shootings I can see no reason for my representative government to do anything that might again inflict that degree of tragedy and trauma on its citizens and its public servants.”

The Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association emphasised it did not support breaching the National Firearms Agreement but said there were areas that could be improved.

The committee, chaired by Liberal MHA Mark Shelton, will report back by March 14 next year.