ABC’s QandA sparked outcry among sporting shooters during discussions about firearms on its September 12 program.
On the panel of five, the only firearm owner was Victorian Senator Bridget McKenzie, who was forced to answer one audience question connecting firearm owner to terrorists.
Kicking off the program, Merinda Air asked, “Bridget McKenzie why do you like shooting for fun and why do you feel that anyone should get access to firearms? I can understand farmers, but not members of the general public.”
That was followed by a question from young audience member Alexander Czerwaniw. “Does Bridget Mckenzie think that expanding gun ownership could lead to increased terror rates or increase the likelihood of a mass shooting?” he said.
Senator McKenzie did her best to correct much of the misinformation spread by the panelists fumbling through the debate. But a comment from program host Tony Jones really ‘took the cake’.
“Theoretically if (Man Haron Monis) was able to go into a gun shop and buy a shotgun, which he did, he could theoretically buy a lever-action, rapid-fire shotgun,” he said of the person behind the Lindt Café siege.
When Senator McKenzie tried to clarify the licensing process to Tony, he stepped in and claimed “(Monis) did that”.
Outcry immediately ensued online, with SSAA Victoria and several firearm owners stepping in to correct Tony. SSAA Victoria and several individuals called for a #factcheck in the next 24 hours. On Monday their call was answered.
T.Jones claimed Monis legally bought the Lindt Cafe gun. @QandA #FactCheck #QandA This conflicts with govt report: https://t.co/zBxVH6zxqf — SSAA Victoria (@ssaa_victoria) September 12, 2016
Tony issued a correction this week live on the program, and published it on the website.
“In responding to a question on gun regulation and terrorism the events of the Lindt Cafe siege were dealt with briefly,” the correction says. “Q&A implied that siege gunman Man Haron Monis lawfully bought a shotgun.
“This was not the case. Monis was not a licensed gun owner and while it remains unclear how he obtained the shotgun he used in the siege, the evidence presented to the Coronial Inquest is that it came from the so-called “grey market” of weapons. It had been legally imported but never registered.”
SSAA Victoria encourages its members to continue to correct misinformation on television through social media, letters and phone calls. Always keep your cool and be respectful of people with different points of view. Educate them and they may change.
