Drizzt
Member
Shooters up in arms over legislation
STEVE HODDER
Tuesday, 18 March 2003
Shooters Party MLC John Tingle has warned gun enthusiasts in Dubbo that small details in Prime Minister John Howard's proposed firearm legislation could see them lose many of their valuable weapons.
He also accused John Howard of double standards, wanting to disarm the Australian public while at the same time advocating war against Iraq.
"Mr Howard has come out publicly saying, 'I hate guns' but he has no problem using them against Iraq," he said.
Mr Tingle's main grievance with the Federal Government centres on the allowable barrel length of hand guns.
"Under Mr Howard's proposal only pistols with a five-inch barrel length will be allowed," Mr Tingle said.
"Converted to metric that's 120 millimetres.
"So, John Howard is saying five-inch guns (120mm) are okay knowing full well most pistols in Australia are 118 millimetres.
"He's lulling people into thinking their guns are protected when in fact they won't be and they will have to be handed in."
Mr Tingle said talks he has had with NSW police minister Michael Costa suggest the scheme will not work as it will cost too much to fund.
"The Federal Government is saying the buy-back scheme will cost $100 million when in fact it will be closer to $500 million," he said.
"Mr Costa is also concerned at the time it is going to take to measure and re-register every hand gun in the State.
"This will create a massive problem for the understaffed Firearm Registry and innocent gun owners trying to comply with the new regulations before June 30."
Shooters Party Dubbo branch member Robyn Bourke is standing as a candidate for the Upper House at Saturday's election.
http://dubbo.yourguide.com.au/detai...egory=general news&story_id=215849&y=2003&m=3
STEVE HODDER
Tuesday, 18 March 2003
Shooters Party MLC John Tingle has warned gun enthusiasts in Dubbo that small details in Prime Minister John Howard's proposed firearm legislation could see them lose many of their valuable weapons.
He also accused John Howard of double standards, wanting to disarm the Australian public while at the same time advocating war against Iraq.
"Mr Howard has come out publicly saying, 'I hate guns' but he has no problem using them against Iraq," he said.
Mr Tingle's main grievance with the Federal Government centres on the allowable barrel length of hand guns.
"Under Mr Howard's proposal only pistols with a five-inch barrel length will be allowed," Mr Tingle said.
"Converted to metric that's 120 millimetres.
"So, John Howard is saying five-inch guns (120mm) are okay knowing full well most pistols in Australia are 118 millimetres.
"He's lulling people into thinking their guns are protected when in fact they won't be and they will have to be handed in."
Mr Tingle said talks he has had with NSW police minister Michael Costa suggest the scheme will not work as it will cost too much to fund.
"The Federal Government is saying the buy-back scheme will cost $100 million when in fact it will be closer to $500 million," he said.
"Mr Costa is also concerned at the time it is going to take to measure and re-register every hand gun in the State.
"This will create a massive problem for the understaffed Firearm Registry and innocent gun owners trying to comply with the new regulations before June 30."
Shooters Party Dubbo branch member Robyn Bourke is standing as a candidate for the Upper House at Saturday's election.
http://dubbo.yourguide.com.au/detai...egory=general news&story_id=215849&y=2003&m=3