Latest gun theft demands action

The Tasmanian Greens today called for tougher gun laws following the theft of guns and ammunition from a Bothwell home over the weekend.

Greens Police and Emergency Services spokesperson Paul ‘Basil’ O’Halloran MP said this most recent incident demonstrated a clear need for better controls in the state on gun ownership, including lifting the minimum age for handling firearms to 18 years.

“Given the significant number of crimes that are committed using stolen weapons, the current laws are clearly ineffective,” Mr O’Halloran said

“At least the storage requirements must be strengthened as a matter of priority.”

“If the Liberals were genuine about improving the numbers and conditions of our police force, they would also be advocating tougher gun laws to prevent repeated incidents of gun-related crimes.”

“With close to 127-thousand registered guns in the state, there may be many more illegal and unregistered weapons in the community.”

“A high number of legal guns inevitably means a greater number of guns being stolen and ending up in the hands of criminals.”

“Guns are extremely effective at what they are designed for, and societies where people have access to readily available guns have consistently higher rates of murders, suicides and accidental shootings.”

“Tasmanians are lucky to live in a low-crime state and we are all better off keeping it that way by limiting gun ownership to those who have a legitimate need for one.”

Paul O’Halloran MP Greens Police & Emergency Services Spokesperson