Update on Australian handgun confiscation...

[fallingblock]

Just to keep y'all motivated there in the U.S. .

We have lost approximately 30% of our handgun target shooters due to a combination the oppressive new regulations and high compensation for equipment as a bribe to exit the sport.

The Queensland Police got a late start, and it looks like they are afraid they may have missed some potential confiscations, so this letter has been sent to all licenced handgun owners in Queensland:

************************************************************
Dear Licensee,

As you would be aware, new laws that restrict the availability and use
of handguns took effect in Queensland on 1 July 2003.

Licensees affected by the reforms are able to access compensation. A
handgun buyback scheme is operating to provide compensation for the
surrender of handguns, their parts and accessories by dealers,
importers, collectors and sporting shooters, including those who wish
to exit the sport.

An amnesty for unregistered handguns has also been declared and will
allow people to surrender these handguns without incurring a criminal
penalty for their possession. Both amnesty and the Handgun Buyback
Scheme have been extended until 5.00 pm on 30 June 2004.

A Handgun Compensation Centre is operating at 555 Sandgate Road,
Clayfield, between 8 am and 5 pm, Wednesday to Sunday. If your handgun
is compensatable, and you surrender it at the Compensation Centre, you
will generally be issued a cheque on the spot.

Even if your handgun is not compensatable, you are requested to attend
the Centre to have the barrel length measured and the details recorded
against your licence.

Amnesty handguns can also be surrendered at the Compensation Centre,
although no compensation will be paid for unregistered handguns.

To avoid delays on arrival, it is important that you contact the
Compensation Centre on the toll free number 1800 358 312 between 8.00
am and 5.00 pm on weekdays to make an appointment to attend.

The Compensation Centre at Clayfield will remain open to the public
until 31 March 2004. In order to receive compensation on the spot, all
shooters are strongly encouraged to attend this Centre before its
closure.

Note that if you have a prohibited handgun and choose not to surrender
it by the end of the amnesty period, you will not be entitled to
receive compensation. More importantly, you may be prosecuted for retaining that handgun.

Yours sincerely

Superintendent L J Potts
Handgun Control Unit
************************************************************

Don't let it get this far in the U.S.

 

[carpettbaggerr]

Emigrate

 

[fallingblock]

One of these days, carpettbaggerr....

I'm a U.S. as well as Australian citizen, so I can come back when we're finished working here.

But there are over 800,000 licenced firearms owners in Australia who haven't done anything wrong and are being increasingly squeezed by a cynical Federal government advised by persistent & well-funded hoplophobes. It's a great illustration of the misuse of government power against law-abiding citizens.

Australia has embraced this anti-gun madness in just the past dozen years or so, although guns were always somewhat regulated and handgun shooting as a sport didn't really begin until the early 1950's.

 

[P95Carry]

Just like with UK ....... it'll all end in tears.

There'll be no turning back of the clock either .......

Of course ...... everywhere will be SO much safer ...... :banghead:

 

[Bob]

The marvel of our age, free people rushing to embarace a police state.
Bob

 

[Bruce in West Oz]

... free people rushing to embarace [sic] a police state

While I'm not arguing with your premise, please don't include the majority of we Aussie gunowners in this sort of statement. We're not embracing anything.

Bruce

 

[geekWithA.45]

A recent article...

said that 35 thousand handguns had been surrendered.


My guess is that there's millions of them buried in the garden.

There might be hope.

 

[Swamprabbit]

Why, don't y'all know this is just "common sense gun control"? Everyone knows no-one really needs handguns for deer hunting and that the only people who use handguns are either criminals or future criminals. Gosh, doesn't anyone listen to Chuck Schumer? Geesh!

 

[HankB]

But there are over 800,000 licenced firearms owners in Australia who haven't done anything wrong . . .

I believe this is factually incorrect. They registered their guns, didn't they?

 

[fallingblock]

Sadly, but truly, HankB.......

But there are over 800,000 licenced firearms owners in Australia who haven't done anything wrong . . .
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I believe this is factually incorrect. They registered their guns, didn't they?"
************************************************************

You have identified the central conundrum facing gun owners everywhere!

Should we remain "law-abiding" when the 'laws' are intended to render us disarmed before the power of the stare?

What's in it for us, the mugs who support the state with its bloated, misinformed and cynical legislative hierarchy?

It's true, the Australians who complied with the laws and registered their firearms are being rapidly and progressively disarmed.

Bruce:
How're you goin' mate? What news of the op?

 

[tiberius]

If they want 'em, give 'em to 'em....bullets first of course.

 

[Ryder]

divide and conquer in progress

Interesting note fallingblock. Look how polite your government is. You guys sure are civilized down there! This way to the showers please, watch your step, don't trip over the bodies...

I'm afraid you're mistaken if you think that would motivate us. That wouldn't do at all. We are not used to such politeness. Here they don't waste time with pleasantries such as "you may be prosecuted" or "you are requested to attend". Every piece of official correspondence I get from the government spells out the penalties implicitly and it comes in the form of "You are scheduled to appear", "Your attendance is mandatory",and "failure is punishable by...". Granted you may need a magnifying glass to read it, but it's all there. Fines, penalties, interest rates, forfietures, prison sentences... They always list the maximums too! really gets my attention

The last time I tried to initiate a court action my lawyer presented me with a paper to sign stating that I agreed in advance to abide by any judgement the judge would order. Judgement? Order? What judgement???? The details were already worked out and signed by both parties! We only needed a judge to notarize the darn thing. Needless to say government has not earned my trust with it's threatening ways. Trust is a two way street and they certainly don't trust me.. No signature was forthcoming and it didn't take long before the court was all over the lawyer to get my signature. I refused to sign and filed to withdraw the action. It was "granted without prejudice". As if! Whew! Close one Some service our gov't provides us!

 

[fallingblock]

Well, Ryder.....

The politeness kinda comes to a screeching halt here once charges are laid.
Then it works a lot like what you're describing from your experience

It's shameful how governments behave with a little power at their command, isn't it?

Those dead guys who put together the Bill of Rights had a pretty good idea of what governments shouldn't be allowed to do...the message has just been diluted a bit much over the past 212 years

 

[Sam Adams]

Should we remain "law-abiding" when the 'laws' are intended to render us disarmed before the power of the stare?

If the government said that you had to register your Bible, or get permission to attend worship services, would you comply? Registration of firearms has been used for one purpose, and one purpose only, throughout history and across all geographical boundaries: confiscation. Oh, it might take a while - 5, 10, 25 years, but it ALWAYS occurs. Draw your own lessons.