The Greens NSW Policy Platform 1995 - Firearms Policy
Page 52
1. Background
1.1 The current situation for fire-arms control in NSW is unacceptable. The number of guns in this state is unknown. The number in Australia is estimated to be over 4 million.
1.2 The NSW Police Association and the Local Government Association have called for gun registration, yet neither the State Government nor the Opposition supports this initiative.
1.3 The NSW Government has refused to co-operate with the other states in having a national register, leaving NSW out of this co-ordinated gun control measure.
1.4 The international arms trade impacts on Australia. Australians are being killed with imported firearms, many of them made in the US. Some international corporations operate from Australia and export arms and ammunition to various military dictatorships in the region. Until three years ago such exports could be vetoed by the Department Of Foreign Affairs because of Human Rights concerns. With the Priority given to the drive for exports, this is no longer the case.
2. Framework
2.1 The community must be protected against violence. This issue is of particular concern to women and children, as they are the main victims in situations of domestic violence.
2.2 The increasing availability of fire-arms together with the reluctance of governments to introduce effective controls against this growing menace contributes to the growing violence in our society.
2.3 Legislation should be reinforced by education on the need (I) to reduce gun ownership and (ii) for the safe handling of guns.
2.4 The Greens aim to:
2.4.1 protect the community against violence;
2.4.2 improve the system of registration of guns in NSW;
2.4.3 introduce a properly co-ordinated strategy to bring about nationally uniform gun laws; and
2.4.4 work with individuals and organisations who democratically pursue these changes at all levels.
3. Policy Detail
3.1 The Greens support:
3.1.1 Uniformity
3.1.1.1 co-operation with other state governments and territories to establish uniform gun laws and a national register of firearm;
3.1.2 Issuing licences.
3.1.2.1 a review of current requirements for the ownership of guns;
3.1.2.2 stricter licensing requirements for gun ownership, to include:
3.1.2.2.1 identification requirements equivalent to those of the Department of Social Security;
3.1.2.2.2 a character reference and approval from an authorised member of the community, with the right of veto for household members;
3.1.2.2.3 minimum age of 18 years;
3.1.2.2.4 abolition of existing minor's permits;
3.1.2.2.5 no criminal record involving violence;
3.1.2.2.6 28 day waiting period to enable check for a criminal record;
3.1.2.2.7 demonstrated safety knowledge;
3.1.2.2.8 psychological assessment of the applicant;
3.1.2.2.9 good reasons for possessing a licence e.g. farmer, a member of an approved sporting association;
3.1.2.2.10 police to conduct tests for licences, rather than members of the NSW Shooter's Association; and
3.1.2.2.11 renewal of licences at regular intervals;
3.1.3 Sale of Firearms
3.1.3.1 sale of ammunition only by licensed gun shops, to licensed shooters to suit only those firearms registered in the licensee's name;
3.1.3.2 sale and purchase of firearms only by licensed gun shops to licensed shooters;
3.1.3.3 registration of firearms completed upon purchase and immediately registered with the police;
3.1.3.4 a ban on mail-order sales of firearms ammunition.
3.1.3.5 a ban on military assault-style firearms, automatic and semi-automatic weapons;
3.1.3.6 a ban on the importation of firearms;
3.1.3.7 sale of ammunition only for required use; and
3.1.3.8 a register of all ammunition bought and sold to be kept by all outlets;
3.1.4 Storage of Firearms
3.1.4.1 prohibition of guns in urban homes, except where a licence is granted for antique collectors;
3.1.4.2 guns in urban areas stored at gun clubs under lock and key, with firing mechanisms kept at a police station where possible;
3.1.4.3 enforcement of regulations requiring guns in homes in rural communities to be kept in a metal box with a combination lock, with firing mechanisms in a separate room;
3.1.5 General
3.1.5.1 mandatory confiscation of all firearms by police from people who show themselves to be unfit to hold a license, and revocation of their licences;
3.1.5.2 a permanent amnesty for the surrender of unauthorised firearms and strict penalties for those people found possessing unauthorised firearms; and
3.1.5.3 return of all automatic weapons under a buy-back scheme, to be administered by the police, to comply with the current ban on automatic weapons.
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