The Sporting Shooters Association of Australia Inc. said today that it welcomed news by NSW Police Commissioner Ken Maroney that a national approach to reducing the illegal gun trade will be implemented through the Australian Crime Commission.
“This national association of firearm owners supports any reduction of the trade in illegal handguns. Any attempt to rid Australian community of illegal handguns in the hands of criminals will go someway in making our community safer.” Mr Fleetwood said.
“Compounding today’s announcement is the recent release by the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) of the annual report by the National Homicide Monitoring Program which indicates that only one registered handgun was used in homicide in 2001-2002.”
“It is disappointing that nearly $100 million will be spent by state and federal governments on the buyback of legal registered handguns when the figures clearly indicate that ownership of legal handguns by licenced firearm owners is not a crime issue.” Mr Fleetwood said.