The Warrigal
Member
While a (mostly), friendly rivalry has always existed between the States of New South Wales and Victoria, it would seem that this ossession with outdoing each other has finally reached the level of full blown mental illness where some State politicians are concerned.
Many New South Wales politicians, seem to take an almost perverse pride in the fact that "THEIR" State boasts the longest list of Prohibited Weapons than any other jurisdiction in Australia.
However, it would now seem that certain Victorian State Ministers are hell bent on beating even NSW in the race to see who can come up with the most idiotic and incomprehensible weapons laws.
While the information below is of greater urgency to Australians than Americans, US THR Forumers, and other Pro-2nd Ammendment Activists, may find the insights into the Victorian State Governments tactics here instructive in their own battle with anti-gun/ anti self-defence Governments on their own turf.
In view of the fact that even many Aussies are as yet not adequately informed about the full implications of this latest assault on our Rights, I felt the article below deserved the widest possible audience.
Forewarned is forearmed.
The following information pertaining to the proposed Victorian Weapons Laws appeared in this months Double Edition of Blitz Australasian Martial Arts Magazine Vol. 14 No.12 Page 23.
"GOVERNMENT LEGISLATION EXPOSED
Weapons may be banned!!!
All martial arts weapons in Victoria are set to become illegal under the new weapons regulations Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS). In what has been seen by many as a secretly proposed undertaking , the new Weapons Act will turn all martial artists currently owning traditional weapons, into criminals. These weapons include nunchuku, sai, tonfa, knives, karma, throwing stars, butterfly swords, cross-bows, tanto and wakazashi. Under the Act, such weapons may not be imported, manufactured, advertised for sale, possessed, carried, sold, or even displayed. The Act provides no 'buy back' scheme, nor satisfactory provision for collectors.
In what seems like a one-sided affair, over twenty five non-martial arts organisations were consulted by the Justice Department regarding the regulation changes. These organisations include Dick Smith and Tandy Electronics, which have little if any relevance to the changes. Other departments include the Victorian Community Council Against Violence, the Office of Women's Policy, Department of Treasury and Finance and the State Coroner.
Consultation for the proposed Regulations included only one Martial Arts Industry Association who were revealed to be based in NSW. Although some historical arms clubs were contacted, no other martial arts organisations were consulted. The deadline for the submission of views on the proposed changes was conveniently set for Friday October 27, 2000, a date which had obviously lapsed before the great majority of martial arts organisations were even made aware of the proposed changes. It is an outrage that legislation changes of this nature should be made in this way. The Act will disrupt businesses and effect competitions, clubs, organisations, not to mention an estimated 100,000 legitimate martial arts practicioners. This will mean that martial arts weapons will no longer be able to be bought or sold over the counter without a special exemption licence. The proposed prohibited weapon exemption licence will cost around $120 every three years, and will only be available from the Cheif Commissioner of Police. Anticipated waiting time between application and approval for exemption is between 6 to 12 months. This means that if you presently own any martial arts weaponry, you will likely become a criminal while you wait for approval. Once legislation goes through, it is anticipated that the Department of Justice will push for the same regulatory rules to licence and register the instruction of all martial arts and self-defence classes. The proposed changes to the Act while masked as reducing the risks of injury and crime, will generate a significant resource of income for the government. In addition to an 'all in the same bag' approach ("they look nasty, let's ban them all"), the RIS contains no evidence that the weapons proposed for prohibition have been used in crimes. Without a doubt this is an important Rights issue, as fear and prejudice are motives behind the RIS proposal.
Something must be done, and you can help!!
All martial arts organisations and martial artists are urged to join in halting these proposed changes. If you would like to own or continue to possess any martial arts weapon you must voice your opinion now!!
Check out the Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) made by the Department of Justice, visit www.justice.vic.gov.au and contact your local Member of Parliament. Additional views can be sent to:"
Mr. Brendan Facey
Senior Policy Advisor
Justice Policy
Level 3, 55 Andrews Place
East Melbourne VIC 3002
Tel: (03) 9651 6936
Fax: (03) 9651 6922
Email: [email protected]
PS.
Further detail concerning the proposed Victorian Weapons Act, including it's enforcement provisions may be found here:
http://www.justice.vic.gov.au/CA256...ions+2003?OpenDocument&1=10-Listing~&2=-Headl ines~&3=0-Draft+Control+of+Weapons+and+Firearms+%28Search+Powers%29+Regulations+2003~
As has already been noted by several observers, these laws, should they go into effect, (and I fear they will), will effectively kill off most if not all Medieval Re-Enactment Societies in Victoria.
The legal liabilities involved even for those lucky enough to obtain permits, are likely to become so prohibitively expensive that even Olympic style Fencing may be legislated out of existence!
Many New South Wales politicians, seem to take an almost perverse pride in the fact that "THEIR" State boasts the longest list of Prohibited Weapons than any other jurisdiction in Australia.
However, it would now seem that certain Victorian State Ministers are hell bent on beating even NSW in the race to see who can come up with the most idiotic and incomprehensible weapons laws.
While the information below is of greater urgency to Australians than Americans, US THR Forumers, and other Pro-2nd Ammendment Activists, may find the insights into the Victorian State Governments tactics here instructive in their own battle with anti-gun/ anti self-defence Governments on their own turf.
In view of the fact that even many Aussies are as yet not adequately informed about the full implications of this latest assault on our Rights, I felt the article below deserved the widest possible audience.
Forewarned is forearmed.
The following information pertaining to the proposed Victorian Weapons Laws appeared in this months Double Edition of Blitz Australasian Martial Arts Magazine Vol. 14 No.12 Page 23.
"GOVERNMENT LEGISLATION EXPOSED
Weapons may be banned!!!
All martial arts weapons in Victoria are set to become illegal under the new weapons regulations Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS). In what has been seen by many as a secretly proposed undertaking , the new Weapons Act will turn all martial artists currently owning traditional weapons, into criminals. These weapons include nunchuku, sai, tonfa, knives, karma, throwing stars, butterfly swords, cross-bows, tanto and wakazashi. Under the Act, such weapons may not be imported, manufactured, advertised for sale, possessed, carried, sold, or even displayed. The Act provides no 'buy back' scheme, nor satisfactory provision for collectors.
In what seems like a one-sided affair, over twenty five non-martial arts organisations were consulted by the Justice Department regarding the regulation changes. These organisations include Dick Smith and Tandy Electronics, which have little if any relevance to the changes. Other departments include the Victorian Community Council Against Violence, the Office of Women's Policy, Department of Treasury and Finance and the State Coroner.
Consultation for the proposed Regulations included only one Martial Arts Industry Association who were revealed to be based in NSW. Although some historical arms clubs were contacted, no other martial arts organisations were consulted. The deadline for the submission of views on the proposed changes was conveniently set for Friday October 27, 2000, a date which had obviously lapsed before the great majority of martial arts organisations were even made aware of the proposed changes. It is an outrage that legislation changes of this nature should be made in this way. The Act will disrupt businesses and effect competitions, clubs, organisations, not to mention an estimated 100,000 legitimate martial arts practicioners. This will mean that martial arts weapons will no longer be able to be bought or sold over the counter without a special exemption licence. The proposed prohibited weapon exemption licence will cost around $120 every three years, and will only be available from the Cheif Commissioner of Police. Anticipated waiting time between application and approval for exemption is between 6 to 12 months. This means that if you presently own any martial arts weaponry, you will likely become a criminal while you wait for approval. Once legislation goes through, it is anticipated that the Department of Justice will push for the same regulatory rules to licence and register the instruction of all martial arts and self-defence classes. The proposed changes to the Act while masked as reducing the risks of injury and crime, will generate a significant resource of income for the government. In addition to an 'all in the same bag' approach ("they look nasty, let's ban them all"), the RIS contains no evidence that the weapons proposed for prohibition have been used in crimes. Without a doubt this is an important Rights issue, as fear and prejudice are motives behind the RIS proposal.
Something must be done, and you can help!!
All martial arts organisations and martial artists are urged to join in halting these proposed changes. If you would like to own or continue to possess any martial arts weapon you must voice your opinion now!!
Check out the Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) made by the Department of Justice, visit www.justice.vic.gov.au and contact your local Member of Parliament. Additional views can be sent to:"
Mr. Brendan Facey
Senior Policy Advisor
Justice Policy
Level 3, 55 Andrews Place
East Melbourne VIC 3002
Tel: (03) 9651 6936
Fax: (03) 9651 6922
Email: [email protected]
PS.
Further detail concerning the proposed Victorian Weapons Act, including it's enforcement provisions may be found here:
http://www.justice.vic.gov.au/CA256...ions+2003?OpenDocument&1=10-Listing~&2=-Headl ines~&3=0-Draft+Control+of+Weapons+and+Firearms+%28Search+Powers%29+Regulations+2003~
As has already been noted by several observers, these laws, should they go into effect, (and I fear they will), will effectively kill off most if not all Medieval Re-Enactment Societies in Victoria.
The legal liabilities involved even for those lucky enough to obtain permits, are likely to become so prohibitively expensive that even Olympic style Fencing may be legislated out of existence!
