New gun laws born after Labor love in with Shooters

"These new gun laws bring us closer to the US with its liberal attitude to firearm use and the government will have to wear this stain for many years to come," Ms Rhiannon said.

The bill was initiated by the Shooters Party and passed with the support of the major parties and Fred Nile MLC. Christian Democrat Gordon Moyes joined with the Greens in opposing the new laws.

"The Shooters Party's private member bill represents the first unravelling of national uniform gun laws developed after the Port Arthur massacre.

"During the debate no MP supporting the Shooters' bill was able to rationally argue why it was so urgent that this bill was brought on for debate and passage today.

"It appears Labor used this bill as a bargaining chip to secure the Shooters Party's vote on Treasurer Costa's electricity privatisation and Sartor's planning bills.

"This step brings us closer to the US style politics where MPs are behoven to the gun lobby and unable to speak out against it.

"These laws will see more high powered guns in the community.

"I am aware that many MPs in the major parties were not happy with this deal or the laws that result but the damage has been done and they are now on our statute books," Ms Rhiannon said.

The Bill allows unlicensed people to access and use guns at shooting clubs, removes waiting times for licensed owners buying additional guns and weakens penalties for breaches of the Firearms Act.

The government, with the support of the Greens, amended the bill to remove the provision for licensed minors as young as 12 to use high-powered handguns in competition.

For more information: Lee Rhiannon 9230 3551, 0427 861 568

[via Lee Rhiannon MLC Media Release Thursday 19 June 2008 link]