Community cynical about weapons war
Daily Telegraph, Page: 22. Wednesday, 24 December, 2008
Is the Police Minister Tony Kelly, really stupid enough to believe that those responsible for the drive-by shootings and stabbings in Sydney recently will hand in their weapons just because there is an amnesty (Weapon war, December 23)? Maybe police, who Mr Kelly believes have the resources to catch these criminals, should be focusing their efforts not on honest firearms owners, but directing them toward criminals and how the majority of illegally owned firearms are being sourced and that is from overseas. Only honest people comply with amnesties and the law in general, but they do make an easy target to get your face in the paper and to be seen to be doing something, albeit pointless!
Mal Garner, Isabella Plains, ACT
I can see it now. A handful of old World War 1 rifles that grandma found after grandpa died last year and a stack of scary-looking but ultimately useless fantasy knives. A big show of it on TV or the front page. That’s going to make the world so much safer. Where do they dream this rubbish up? Amnesties don’t work. Just like John Howard’s useless and expensive buy-back didn’t work. Criminals doing drive-by shootings aren’t going to be lining up to hand in their weapons. The real problem is our legal system and the trivialisation of break-and-enters. Police aren’t at fault. It’s judges. How about penalties? Use a gun in a crime, mandatory jail time. Steal a gun, mandatory jail time.
David Bridges, Monterey
The father of stabbed teenager, Andrew Motuliki, called for all teenagers to stop carrying knives and using them to settle arguments. That’s a good call from a grieving father who has just lost his son. The worst part is gutless politicians who come in from left-field, like Police Minister Tony Kelly, who has announced a gun amnesty to begin in March with the usual rhetoric when addressing law and order issues: “Police have the powers and resources to catch you and there are tough sentences to lock you up for a longtime.” Sure there is an onus for firearm owners to keep their weapons safe and secured, but the problem is the law is handled very weakly by the courts. Nobody goes to gaol any more for firearm offences. They might get a suspended sentence. The whole system is a joke and unless the Police Minister and the Attorney-General realise this and do something about our limp-wristed judiciary then the carnage will continue.
Dick Filmer, Manly Vale
The state government and police will achieve nothing until they are backed up by the judiciary. Police catch them and magistrates and judges let them off. Being in possession of an illegal handgun should carry a prison term.
Ron Lowe, Lithgow
According to Police Minister Tony Kelly, the state government does not support minimum mandatory sentences for criminals. This is just another example of how out of touch this Government is. Minimum mandatory sentences are exactly what the electorate would like to see. We are sick and tired of supposed experienced magistrates and judges letting off criminals with a slap on the wrist because they are allowed to use their discretion. If someone is caught carrying a knife, without a valid explanation, put them away for a year or two. What valuable members of society would not agree with this idea, apart from judges and the state government? I know the Opposition supports mandatory minimum sentences. They will get my vote at the next election.
Mitchell Beston, Woy Woy
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