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National firearm theft rise highlights need for tighter gun control laws
Wednesday 13 January 2010
The dramatic rise in gun theft has serious public safety implications that requires immediate action to be taken by both the NSW and federal governments Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said today.
(SMH page 2)
The Australian Institute of Criminology has found that during 2007-08 there was an 11 per cent rise in gun theft with nearly a quarter of these crimes in NSW.
"Firearm crimes are traumatising more people and lives are being lost unnecessarily because Australian political leaders have not had the courage to stand up to the gun lobby," Ms Rhiannon said.
"Prime Minister Kevin Rudd needs to initiate a renewed National Firearms Agreement and Premier Kristina Kenneally should quickly move to ban semi-automatic handguns and ensure police are enforcing the law on the storage of firearms.
"The first National Firearms Agreement in 1996 after the Port Arthur massacre resulted in tightening up of gun laws around the country.
"It was a significant decision that has certainly saved lives but the influence of the gun lobby was reflected in the fact that the Agreement only banned semi-automatics long arms and not the equally dangerous semi-automatic pistols.
"Former prime minister John Howard took on the gun lobby to win support for the first National Firearms Agreement. It is time Mr Rudd showed leadership on this issue and added his voice to the call for further strengthening of uniform gun control laws through a renewed National Firearms Agreement.
"The Institute's report also found that 75 per cent of guns stolen were taken from private residences. This finding is an inditement of the NSW government.
"Successive Labor leaders trumpet their commitment to law and order but when it comes to enforcing gun control measures they go weak," Ms Rhiannon said.
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