Guns for children law furore

Daily Telegraph, Page: 21. Wednesday, 18 June, 2008

Children as young as 12 will have access to high-calibre handguns under new laws being considered by the state Government.
The Shooters’ Party is lobbying for changes to gun laws that would also waive the 28-day “cooling-off” period for people who already own guns of the same kind.
Shooters’ Party MP Roy Smith said the changes would bring NSW in line with other states on laws regarding minors ‘access to handguns.
“At the moment there’s nothing stopping minors participating in shooting competitions on approved ranges and under supervision,” Mr Smith said.
“Instead of a .38-calibre, they will now be able to use a .40-calibre.” He said current laws prohibited young competitors from participating in shooting events requiring the more high-powered weapons.
Currently, children under 18 are not permitted to own a gun but can shoot on licensed shooting ranges under adult supervision.
Under the new Bill unlicensed shooters would also be permitted to “try” shooting without a permit.
“We think people should be able to try shooting, to get the experience, without going through the process of getting a licence,” Mr Smith said.
Anti-shooting lobby groups said the changes would encourage young people to take up guns and introduce them to a dangerous gun culture.
“We are talking about giving children access to guns that are police and army issue,” National Coalition for Gun Control chairman Roland Browne said.
“That’s really frightening we shouldn’t be encouraging it.” He said the Shooters’ Party had no interest in safety.
“It’s agenda is to achieve weaker gun laws to allow proliferation of firearms, to the financial advantage of manufacturers and distributors,” Mr Browne said.
Police Minister David Campbell presented the Bill to Cabinet on Monday. It is expected to be debated in the Upper House next week.
Mr Campbell said the Government would not support allowing minors access to high-calibre weapons.
“The Government does not support this Bill in total, however, the Bill does propose some sensible solutions to regulatory red tape and streamlines some regulatory arrangements,” Mr Campbell said.
Critics believe the Bill was rushed through the Upper House as part of a deal between the Government and the Shooters’ Party to win support for Government’s electricity privatisation proposal.