The Victorian Government decision to restrict the sale of ammunition and firearms for recreational and sporting shooters is unjustified. Since the announcement, SSAA Victoria has vigorously opposed this action in the media and public domain and has undertaken the appropriate steps to challenge it.
We are pleased to see that senior political figures and members of the community have joined the chorus of people voicing their opinion against what is a slur on the good character of sporting and recreational firearms owners.
The Hon. Gordon Rich-Phillips, Shadow Minister for Innovation, Jobs and Trade and Secretary of the Parliamentary Liberal Party stated that, “The Victorian Government’s directions which permit solo jogging while banning solo fishing and hunting, and even ban the sale of recreational firearms and ammunition have nothing to do with social distancing, and are a step too far. These measures divide our community and are an attack on traditional Australian cultural pursuits while contributing nothing to fighting the virus. Firearms users are some of our most heavily regulated and scrutinised citizens and overwhelmingly law abiding. Instead of division and slurs they deserve respect from the Victorian Government.”
The Hon. Peter Walsh, Shadow Minister for Agriculture and deputy leader of the Opposition said that, “Victoria’s legal, responsible hunting community already operates to high levels of scrutiny and accountability and is required to comply with strict regulations.”
Mr Tim Quilty, Liberal Democrats member for Northern Victoria stated that, “The announcement of the ban on the sale of firearms and ammunition to recreational and sporting shooters is yet another example of the Andrews Government’s war on the regions. Registered firearms owners have by definition demonstrated their mature and responsible attitude towards firearms, and there is absolutely no need to impose yet further restrictions to their civil liberties. The reasoning used to justify this ban does not stand up to even the most cursory scrutiny – a small short-term increase in intended purchases is not panic buying.”
David Limbrick, Liberal Democrats MP for Victoria’s South East Metropolitan region states, “My colleague Tim Quilty and I have had a gutful of the poor treatment of law abiding firearms owners by the government. The impact of the pandemic is bad enough without unnecessarily shutting down businesses and treating registered firearms owners like children. I fully support Tim’s letter to Lisa Neville, and we will both continue to support the interests of law-abiding firearms owners in the Victorian Parliament.”
Mr Jeff Bourman, Shooters, Fishers and Farmers member for Eastern Victoria said on Channel Seven’s Sunrise show that, “These restrictions are a very bad idea because if you wanted to find a more trustworthy, law-abiding segment of society, all you have to do is look at law-abiding shooters. To say that shooters want to own a firearm or ammunition legally to perpetrate domestic violence is not supported by any facts or statistics. To use the word ‘stockpiling’ is a pejorative term.”
On behalf of all recreational and sporting shooters, SSAA Victoria appreciates the support received from the members of Parliament and the faith they show in the good character and law-abiding actions of licensed firearm owners.
