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81.3% increase in drive by shootings: ban semi-automatic pistols
Wednesday 10 June 2009
Today's quarterly crime figures for NSW that show an 81.3 per cent rise in drive by shootings illustrate the need for a ban on semi-automatic pistols which are often used in such shootings, says Greens MP Lee Rhiannon and the National Coalition for Gun Control.
The Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research figures (www.bocsar.nsw.gov.au) show the number of incidents involving the discharge of a firearm into premises rose by 81.3 percent, from 64 in the 12 months to March 2008, compared with 116 in the 12 months to March 2009.
Lee Rhiannon has given notice of a private members bill to ban all semi-automatic pistols under the Firearms Act.
"Semi-automatic hand guns are popular weapons for drive by shootings. Banning them is a key to reducing this crime," Ms Rhiannon said.
"Semi-automatic long arms were prohibited in the wake of the Port Arthur massacre but their smaller counterparts were not. This omission must now be rectified.
"Although other gun related crime has dropped, the government should not use this achievement to avoid addressing this very real problem of drive by shootings," Ms Rhiannon said.
Samantha Lee, Chair of the National Coalition for Gun Control says, "Drive-by shootings are of particular concern to the general public because they occur in public places, generally bullets are sprayed into a persons home when the perpetrator has no idea who is residing at the premises and streets are terrorised."
Ms Lee further states, "Semi-automatic handguns are the preferred firearm of choice for drive-by shootings because they can be used with one hand, they are easy to conceal and they are high powered military style firearms."
For more information:
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon - 9230 3551, 0427 861 568
Samantha Lee - National Coalition for Gun Control - 0418 491 459
