UN report: Australia leading firearm importer - Greens call for tighter gun control

The latest UN sponsored Small Arms Survey that ranks Australia as a major gun importer must be a wake up for the Turnbull government to reinstate the ban on lever action shotguns and agree to import controls, said Australian Greens spokesperson for gun control, Senator Lee Rhiannon.

"More guns in circulation is a public health issue as more lives can be lost from accidental shootings, suicides and murders," Senator Rhiannon said.


"A worrying aspect of the developing gun culture is that on top of Australia being the sixth highest gun importer, Australian companies that import weapons are then selling weapons throughout the Oceania region.

"The survey shows that Australia is the largest small arms importer in Oceania.

"The UN report provides more evidence that the fine achievements on national gun control measures agreed to by state and federal governments after the Port Arthur massacre need to be strengthened.

"Tragically gun control reforms have largely been driven by massacres in this country. We don't want a massacre to be the next impetus for reform.

"We need governments to take action now to tighten gun import laws and the activities of the firearm industry in Australia.

"Reinstating the ban on lever action shot guns such as the Adler is essential as it effectively is a semi-automatic weapon.

"The Turnbull government needs to show leadership in response to the worrying news that more firearms are being imported into Australia," Senator Rhiannon said.