The Australia Institute has doubled down on concerning demands regarding firearm regulation, including suggestions that locations where firearms are registered should be made public.
The Sporting Shooters Association of Australia Inc. (SSAA Inc.) is calling on governments at all levels not to buy into the demands of ill-informed think tanks looking for notoriety in deliberations regarding serious community safety matters.
Reports published by the Australia Institute have stated that there is no apparent public source for firearms data in most states and territories, “so that members of the public can find out how many firearms are in their neighbourhood” and that “the public lacks key information to hold authorities accountable for safely managing firearms”.
This remarkable demand for location-specific firearms data could foreseeably create a treasure map for criminals wishing to divert lawfully owned firearms to the criminal underworld, and essentially dox registered firearm owners, putting them and their families at risk.
The Australia Institute reiterated these claims on radio this week, whilst also acknowledging “that there are very, very many, indeed the vast majority of shooters are responsible. They follow the rules, they keep their firearms the way that they’re supposed to.”
These contradictory and confusing public statements are highly concerning from an organisation that claims they “drive the public debate and secure policy outcomes”.
SSAA Inc. CEO, Tom Kenyon stated that “we back our members to comply with the strict firearms regulation that already exists in Australia, and we are deeply concerned by any demands that may compromise the safety of the public, or our members and their families”.