The Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (SSAA) is calling on governments in all Australian jurisdictions to exercise extreme caution when considering information provided by The Australia Institute.
The rubbery information published by The Australia Institute about firearms regulation is misleading at best, and at worst, could jeopardise community safety.
Through recent reports and media activities, The Australia Institute has accused state and federal governments of regulatory failures with little to no evidence, asserting that further regulation is required.
The chaotic nature of ill-considered firearm legislative changes has recently been evident in Western Australia and led to confusion amongst registered firearm owners and ultimately the downfall of the state’s Police Minister. These heavily maligned laws have been broadly criticised including by medical practitioners, conservation groups, and domestic violence survivors.
The Australia Institute claim they are “one of the country’s most influential public policy think tanks”, yet in producing their firearm research, have failed to ever engage with the firearms industry.
Think tank driven policy like this, straight out of Canberra, runs the very real risk of undermining the extensive efforts of law enforcement agencies and ultimately misinforms critical policy related to community safety. Any changes to public policy in areas like this must be driven by evidence, otherwise lives are at risk.
Australia already has world leading firearms laws, and the SSAA is continuing to work with governments at all levels, as well as law enforcement agencies and university research bodies in relation to regulation.
The SSAA is committed to driving and contributing to evidence-based public policy that supports community safety, not clickbait and donations.
Quotes attributable to Tom Kenyon (SSAA CEO)
“Firearms regulation is an incredibly serious matter. The SSAA is working hard with governments across Australia to find practicality, balance, and community safety.”
“This is not an issue for Think Tanks to kick around, create confusion and use as an opportunity for notoriety. Over regulation can lead to perverse outcomes and compromise public safety”
“The SSAA is grateful for our working relationships with governments and agencies across the nation to ensure best practice policy, and we encourage them to exercise caution in being distracted by Think Tanks”.