Katters dig in on gun laws

THE Katter’s Australian Party will move a disallowance motion to try to prevent tightening of Queensland’s gun laws.

The changes proposed by the Palaszczuk Government – which were agreed at a Council of Australian Governments meeting last year – would restrict access to high- capacity lever action shotguns with more than five rounds, such as the Adler A110. It’s understood the regulations are likely to be tabled in State Parliament this sitting week.

But Mount Isa MP Robbie Katter said the changes were not evidence- based and unfairly targeted law- abiding gun owners.

“We have always stood up for primary producers and shooters who do the right thing,” he said. “We will not support changes to the Nation- al Firearms Agreement which unjustly attack law- abiding gun owners.

“We would much prefer to see the Government spending money on increasing frontline police services rather than attacking people who do the right thing.”

An LNP spokeswoman said the Opposition needed to examine the regulation changes before committing to a position.

It’s understood some LNP MPs are in favour of siding with the Katter’s Australian Party if the disallowance motion proceeds. The fate of the gun regulations would rest on other crossbenchers such as independents Rob Pyne, Billy Gordon and Speaker Peter Wellington.

Police Minister Mark Ryan said the shotguns would become harder to obtain as a result of the proposed changes.