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NSW Shooters’ Party interview about handgun proposals ABC Newcastle (Newcastle), Mornings, 17/06/2008 10:15am Interview with Roy Smith, member, NSW Legislative Council about the NSW Shooters’ Party’s proposal to allow children as young as 12 to use high-calibre handguns in shooting competitions. Compere Garth Russell says the National Coalition for Gun Control has attacked the proposal. Smith says that until 2003, juniors were able to participate in competitions using the guns and new legislation has not recognised that serious junior competitors are disadvantaged because they can not have access to the firearms. Smith says it is mostly 16 and 17 year olds affected and some families have to purchase firearms especially for the juniors, rather than having a shared high-calibre firearm within the family. Smith says people need to be aware that there is a 28-day waiting period for obtaining a firearm or firearms licence. Smith says he is not pushing for anything that is not present in other states. Smith says the Coalition for Gun Control comes out at every piece of legislation to ‘harp on misconceptions’. |