Australia: "Tough firearms laws proposed in WA"

[cuchulainn]

from The Age

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/11/19/1069027184536.html

Tough firearms laws proposed in WA

November 19, 2003 - 8:05PM

Drug dealers caught carrying unlicensed guns in Western Australia could face up to 14 years in prison, under tough new laws unveiled.

New legislation outlined in WA's parliament proposes increasing from 18 months to 14 years the maximum jail term for a conviction for carrying unlicensed firearms in combination with drugs and money.

Announcing the proposed legislation, WA Police Minister Michelle Roberts said the government wanted to send a message to both the community and criminals that illegal firearms would not be tolerated.

She also announced the state government's intention to increase jail terms for those convicted of trafficking unlicensed guns, and for those using silencers.

The proposed laws were designed to keep up with the changing trends of criminals and would cover a range of different weapons, Mrs Roberts said.

"We want to send a very strong message to the community that we are moving to protect them," Mrs Roberts said.

"We also want to send a very clear message to those people that are contemplating dealing in drugs that if they have an illegal firearm, as well as drugs and money, they will be subject to that hefty penalty.

"The tools of trade of most drug dealers include unlicensed, concealable firearms."

The bill also introduces new offences, and a maximum 14-year penalty, for people trafficking three or more unlicensed firearms.

And the current penalty of 18 months' imprisonment or a $6,000 fine for use of a firearm silencer would be increased to seven years' imprisonment.

Mrs Roberts said the WA government's tough stance on firearms was over and above recommendations called for last year by the Council of Australian Governments following shooting deaths at Monash University's Clayton campus in Melbourne.

Econometrics students William Wu, 26, and Steven Chan, 26, died when a fellow student opened fire during a seminar in October 2002. Four students and one staff member were also injured in the shooting.

Gun dealers and manufacturers are also being targeted, with those who do not store guns and ammunition properly after shop hours facing tougher sanctions.

The penalty will rise from $2,000 to a $4,000 fine for a first offence and two years' imprisonment or an $8,000 fine for second or subsequent offences.

Mrs Roberts revealed that under the state government's gun buyback scheme, initiated in WA on July 1, 1,117 licensed handguns and 235 unlicensed handguns had been surrendered.

©2003 AAP

 

[HankB]

Drug dealers caught carrying unlicensed guns in Western Australia could face up to 14 years in prison, under tough new laws unveiled.

Hmmm . . . there could be an unintended consequence here. Since Australia doesn't have capital punishment, the worst sentence must be life in prison. An armed druggie, now facing 14 years in prison on top of whatever he'd get for drug dealing or being a repeat offender, may figure the odds and decide to shoot it out.

 

[longeyes]

"We also want to send a very clear message to those people that are contemplating dealing in drugs that if they have an illegal firearm, as well as drugs and money, they will be subject to that hefty penalty. "

Message: Leave your wallet at home.