We have had enough: Australia NEEDS Harsher Penalties for Gun Theft
The anti-gun lobbies are continually claiming that most gun crime is committed using guns stolen from legal firearm owners and they are using these exaggerated claims to support their case for tighter gun controls and bans.
Shooters Union of Queensland has decided to put this issue back in the laps of our lawmakers and accusers by challenging them to impose harsher penalties for gun theft.
Shooters Union President Graham Park led the charge on April 8 with articles in 14 newspapers across the country, news items on channels 9 and 10, live interviews and grabs on radio and TV. In doing so he has made it clear that legal firearm owners have had enough of being the whipping boys for gun crime.
To add weight to the ‘fight back’ it is now up to you and other shooters to send this information to your local MPs and media.
A list of the media responses to date is at the end of this message. Look for your paper, radio station and send the item and expressions of your concern on to the decision makers in your area.
As an example, here’s the link to Graham’s interview with ABC Longreach:https://soundcloud.com/abc-western-queensland/shooters-union-calls-for-harsher-gun-theft-penalties
Below is the item in the Courier mail. It applies throughout Australia.
Gun owners demand action on weapon thefts
QUEENSLAND gun owners say the government must bring in tougher penalties for criminals who steal weapons.
THE Shooters Union of Queensland says it’s absurd that anyone who breaks into a house and steals a gun faces the same penalty as someone who swipes electrical goods.
“It is ridiculous that the same penalty would be applied for the theft of a television as the theft of a firearm,” union president Graham Park said in a statement on Wednesday.
“We believe the community expects sensible gun legislation, and would be surprised at the gap between the seriousness of this offence and the penalty.”
Mr Park said legitimate gun owners were subjected to very strict regulations on the licensing, ownership and storage of firearms.
But he knew of cases where a firearm owned by a family for generations had been stolen and the culprit had ended up with nothing more than a good behaviour bond.
“We are urging the Queensland government to create a specific offence for stealing a firearm,” he said.
Harsher sentences should apply to anyone convicted of gun theft, he says.
“This move would clamp down on people targeting gun owners and free up police resources to focus on illegal (gun) imports,” Mr Park said.
Here’s the list of media which carried the story………..
- WIN News Rockhampton – Phone interview this afternoon – will run on tomorrow night’s (Thurs) news
- Nova 106.9 – Pre-recorded grabs for afternoon bulletins
- Sporting Shooter – Are looking to publish something online
- 4ZZZ Radio– Published a story online: https://www.4zzzfm.org.au/news/headlines/2015/04/08/qld-gun-owners-call-harsh-penalties-gun-thieves
- Brisbane Times – Are interested will pass around and contact us for more information if needed
- ABC North Queensland – Live interview on Mornings with Paula Tapiola at 9:35am
- ABC Longreach – Live interview on Mornings with Ash Moore at 9:05am – will send through audio tomorrow (Thurs)
- 2FM Sydney – Pre-recorded grabs for news
- 4BC News – Pre-recorded grabs for news
- Queensland Country Life – Very interested, passed on to journalist concerned, will be in touch
- AAP – picked up and passed through the wire, published on:
o The Courier-Mail – https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/breaking-news/gun-owners-demand-action-on-weapon-thefts/story-fnihsfrf-1227295061764
o The Cairns Post – https://www.cairnspost.com.au/news/breaking-news/gun-owners-demand-action-on-weapon-thefts/story-fnjbnvyh-1227295061764
o Geelong Advertiser – https://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/news/national/gun-owners-demand-action-on-weapon-thefts/story-fnjbnvyf-1227295061764
o The Mercury – https://www.themercury.com.au/news/breaking-news/gun-owners-demand-action-on-weapon-thefts/story-fnj6ehgr-1227295061764
o Perth Now – https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/breaking-news/gun-owners-demand-action-on-weapon-thefts/story-fnhrvfuw-1227295061764
o The Advertiser – https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/breaking-news/gun-owners-demand-action-on-weapon-thefts/story-fni6ul2m-1227295061764
o The Gold Coast Bulletin – https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/breaking-news/gun-owners-demand-action-on-weapon-thefts/story-fnjbnvyk-1227295061764
o news.com.au – https://www.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/gun-owners-demand-action-on-weapon-thefts/story-e6frfku9-1227295061764
o Townsville Bulletin – https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/news/breaking-news/gun-owners-demand-action-on-weapon-thefts/story-fnjbnvyi-1227295061764
o NT News – https://www.ntnews.com.au/news/national/gun-owners-demand-action-on-weapon-thefts/story-fnjbnvyj-1227295061764
o Weekly Times Now – https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/national/gun-owners-demand-action-on-weapon-thefts/story-fnjbnvyg-1227295061764
o Herald Sun – https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/gun-owners-demand-action-on-weapon-thefts/story-fni0xqi4-1227295061764
o The Daily Telegraph – https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/breaking-news/gun-owners-demand-action-on-weapon-thefts/story-fni0xqi3-1227295061764
o Daily Mail (International) – https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/aap/article-3029435/Gun-owners-demand-action-weapon-thefts.html
o Nine News – https://www.9news.com.au/national/2015/04/08/07/05/gun-owners-demand-action-on-weapon-thefts
o Seven News – https://au.news.yahoo.com/qld/a/27007986/gun-owners-demand-action-on-weapon-thefts/
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