Gunning for trouble
Sunday Mail Adelaide, Page: 74. Sunday, 12 October 2008
Gouger Street traders fear recent shootings will scare patrons away from their popular restaurant strip and Police Minister Michael Wright says the shootings have all occurred since nightclubs began operating and must be stamped out. But our gun laws are tough enough. The licensed shooter has nothing to do with these attacks. Criminal gangs have seized control of these weapons and are terrorising the city. Tougher laws should target bikie gangs and their associates, not lawful firearm users. Lengthen sentences for illegal guns and crack down on gangs.
Tom, Burnside
Ar yes, tougher gun laws. That’s exactly what we need. Oh, wait...there seems to be something wrong with that logic. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that these "gun-wielding thugs" don’t particularly give a damn about the law in the first place. Tougher laws will not insure increased security or decrease the level of unlawful possession of a firearm. If a gangster wants a gun, he’ll get it. It is not the licensed and legal gun holders who are the threat to society.
John, Elizabeth North
Once upon a time, Gouger St was a safe place which had great eateries and a lovely ambience. Apart from one "institution", the street had been free of nightclubs. In the last two to three years, up popped a couple of clubs and the street has never been the same since. What does that tell you?
John, Wasleys
Gun laws have nothing to do with this.
You could have tight gun laws with jail penalties, but that won’t stop the magistrates from releasing offenders without any enforceable bail conditions so police can keep an eye on them. Get another jail to put the villains in and lock them up rather than releasing them "because there is no room, and the prisoners might get hurt".
Lauren, Plympton
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