CONCERNS are being raised by local recreational shooters and hunters about the current gun ownership debate in Australia.
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The debate has arisen after wholesalers ordered more than 6600 of the Turkish-made shotguns that use a lever-action cartridge loading system.
The shotgun, the Adler A110, has a seven-shot magazine and is due to go on sale in Australia in September.
South West Rocks competition shooter Peter Nicoll, who also represents Australia in shooting, said the hysteria stems from people trying to make out that the gun is a high powered, semi-automatic weapon.
“Have you ever tried to shoot a lever action shotgun fast - it’s impossible,” Mr Nicoll said.
“Each time you fire one and then pull down the lever it is as slow as anything and there is no speed in it at all.
“The semi-automatic shotgun can be done a lot faster, but with a lever action there is no way in the world that you can make it a fast semi-automatic weapon.”
Australia banned most gas-operated and pump-action semi-automatic firearms after the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, when the National Firearms Agreement was introduced.
However, the Martin Place siege has put firearm regulation back in the spotlight.
Based on a recommendation from the Martin Place Siege Joint Review the federal and state governments are currently updating technical elements of the National Firearms Agreement.
Last week the Nationals Member for Cowper Luke Hartsuyker and Senator Bridget McKenzie visited recreational shooters on the Mid North Coast to talk about issues facing the shooting and hunting sector.
“I have been contacted by numerous local firearms owners and shooters on the Mid North Coast who are concerned about the tone of the current public debate surrounding firearms ownership and hunting,” Mr Hartsuyker said.
“While the updating of the technical elements of the National Firearms Agreement is a sensible step and one I support, some of the accompanying commentary from media outlets and anti-gun activists has bordered on hysterical.”
Mr Hartsuyker said licensed firearms owners are not the problem, they are responsible law-abiding members of our community and part of a broader industry that contributes more than $1 billion a year to Australia’s economy.
“Most shooters accept that the use of firearms must be regulated and that owners need to be responsible citizens, but licensed shooters do not need more red tape and they should be treated with respect and understanding like anyone else.”
Mr Nicoll said it is all fair and well that the government is looking at updating the National Firearms Agreement, however, they need to consult with the industry first before changes are put into legislation.
“They never did any consultation with the major shooting organisations and that is why they are trying to speak to them now,” Mr Nicoll said.
“I realise all legislation has to be looked at regularly to keep it up to date but to do it undercover without telling anybody is why shooters and farmers are jumping up and down.
“The majority of licensed gun owners abide by the law and spend a lot of money keeping their guns properly housed and secure and the government should not penalise them for doing the right thing.”