‘Toughen law’ on gun carrying criminals

Adelaide Advertiser, Page: 9. Saturday, 19 July 2008

A growing number of criminals are arming themselves with stolen guns, prompting calls for tougher laws against people carrying firearms.
The State Opposition yesterday demanded urgent action after an armed man threatened a police officer during a traffic stop in Adelaide’s western suburbs just after 6am.
The officer fired two shots from his revolver after the man removed a modified firearm from his car in the Fulham Gardens Shopping Centre, Tapleys Hill Rd, and pointed it at the officer.
Police last night were following strong leads in their hunt for the man, whose identity they believe they know. The man fled the scene in a blue Ford Falcon before dumping it in Debney St and catching a taxi to the corner of Currie St and West Tce in the city.
Forensic experts yesterday examined his car and weapon, while security vision from the taxi was also scrutinised.
Opposition police spokesman David Ridgway said it was the fifth accident involving firearms this month, following earlier shootings in Gouger St in May and June. Mr Ridgway said stolen guns regularly were being sold on the blackmarket before being used in armed robberies and other crimes.
“Gun-touting criminals are making a mockery of Mr Rann’s pledge to be tough on crime,” he said.
“Get these guns off our streets before an innocent person is shot.”
Police Commissioner Mal Hyde last month told a parliamentary estimates committee he was concerned about the number of stolen guns being sold on the black market.
The offender involved in yesterday’s incident was described as Caucasian, about 180cm, in his 30s and weighing about 100kg.
He had a distinctive red coloured tattoo on his forearm and was wearing a black “Raiders” jacket and black pants.