Plaudits to police over ammo laws
THE senior sergeant in charge of the Firearms Policy and Records Unit (FPRU) should be commended for his recent approach to all shooting and hunting organisations and those in the industry as to what the optimum limit would be for personal ownership and storage of ammunition.
Rarely do government departments have meaningful consultation and when they do, they shouldn’t be white-anted by those intent on making a name for themselves or with an axe to grind.
It was reported last week in a southern shooting magazine that to comply with section 54 of the
National Firearms Agreement certain limits should be implemented.
Police offered some suggested amounts but sought input from the consultative groups as to whether these were adequate. The groups were as diverse as A and B class licence holders, sports shooters, primary producers, animal control contractors, corporate licence holders, instructors, dealers, retailers and collectors. In my view a comprehensive survey aimed to ensure all areas of ammunition consumption were addressed.
The unit went on to say: “Rather than attempt to implement restrictions at the point of sale, it would be easier to put possession limits in place.”
In my opinion Territory hunters and shooters should be able to purchase and store reasonable quantities to offset availability, transport costs and volumes required for sport shooting such as clay target competition/practice and the waterfowl hunting season.
The war in Ukraine is making ammunition and the components used to make bullets scarce. Add to that every time Barack Obama or Joe Biden mention gun control, shooters in the US stockpile every bullet they can buy. But at least the FPRU was asking, not just coming down from the mountain with the Ten Commandments etched in stone.
Shooters must be aware that national cabinet discussed many issues involving legal firearm ownership and details pertaining to the National Firearms Agreement during a recent meeting. The aftermath of the Wieambilla siege will reverberate into the future and now is the time to make sensible progress that meets the public expectation test and doesn’t hamper law-abiding firearm owners’ ability to use their firearms for the intended purposes.
NT Field and Game have the 50tgt Fishing and Outdoor World Sim Field clay target event this morning from 8am. Friday afternoon clay target practice continues at the NT Field and Game range, Mickett Creek Shooting Complex from 4pm and Sunday Mass practice continues each week from 9am until noon in the absence of competition. All welcome.