Let’s learn from Florida tragedy – Australia needs tighter gun control

Gun control is needed

Greens gun control spokesperson Senator Lee Rhiannon has said the horrifying shooting at a Florida school gives further weight to the need to strengthen and enforce Australia’s National Firearms Agreement.

“The Florida massacre is deeply tragic. As we send our condolences to the victims and their families and wish those injured a speedy recovery we need to step up our efforts to consolidate gun control measures across all states and territories,” Senator Rhiannon said.

“Australia remains vulnerable to mass shootings as the National Agreement on Firearms brought in after the Port Arthur massacre is being wound back by some states.

“The Greens support the call from Gun Control Australia for a new national audit to determine areas of noncompliance by states and territories and for action to stop the importation and use of rapid-fire Adler shotguns.

“While the work of former prime minister John Howard on gun control was outstanding in winning all states and territories to sign onto the Agreement, the ban on semi-automatic longarms now needs to be expanded to include semi-automatic hand guns.

“We are not calling for changes to single shot hand guns. What is needed is a ban on the Adler lever action shotgun and a buyback of the Adler shotguns that are now in Australia.

“Let’s remember the 17 killed and many injured in Florida this week and the 35 people killed at the Port Arthur massacre. We need to ensure these tragic events are not repeated.

“The National Firearms Agreement agreed to in 1996 has been undermined in most jurisdictions.

“One of the major achievements of the NFA was the requirement for a 28-day cooling-off period when someone decided to purchase a second and subsequent firearms.

“The gun industry has had success in winding back this provision in Victoria, WA and NSW,” Senator Rhiannon said.


16 February 2018