Labor and Shooters move to relax NSW gun laws as news of Cumbrian massacre breaks

This follows the passing of a government weapons bill through the Upper House late last night that loosens restrictions on imitation firearms, which have been recently used in criminal incidents like drive by shootings.

The Shooters also won the support today of Labor and the Coalition for a marine parks bill to create a moratorium on additional marine parks and the expansion of sanctuary zones.

"It shows gross insensitivity on the government's part to support an urgent motion by the Shooters Party to bring on their Firearms Legislation Amendment Bill which considerably relaxes gun control laws on the day of the Cumbrian massacre," Ms Rhiannon said.

"This suggests that the government has been working behind the scenes to shore up the support of the Shooters Party by giving its MPs an opportunity to change gun laws.

"As Labor does not have a majority in the Upper House, the government often relies on the Shooters' votes to pass unpopular legislation and defeat Coalition and Greens' motions.

"The Greens are still analysing the reach of the Shooters Party Bill. At first glance it is clear this bill is a significant rolling back of gun laws introduced after a series of massacres.  If this bill becomes law public safety will be compromised.

The Firearms Legislation Amendment Bill includes measures to:

§            reduce the disqualification period for those who have been subject to an AVO with being issued with a firearm from 10 to 5 years

§            removes the need to register or have a permit to acquire an air rifle and allow children under 12 to use air rifles at a shooting range

§            waters down the requirements for pistol clubs to check that an applicant for a pistol has adequate places to safely store pistols

§            removes the offence for carrying or possessing a firearm in a national park, if it is not loaded and carried while travelling on a vehicle

§            provides the Police Commissioner with the discretion not to refuse a gun licence or permit where the a person had previously been convicted of certain criminal offences (previously refusal was mandatory)

§            makes it more difficult for the Commissioner to order a person to surrender a firearm when it has been suspended or revoked.

§            provides farmers with access to pump action shotguns, self-loading shotguns and rimfire rifles to shoot on their own farms or other farms with the permission of the owner/occupier.

For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568