Victorian Police Minister Mr Bill McGrath is attempting to initiate a major weakening of Victoria’s gun laws when he introduced his ‘Firearms (Amendment) Bill’ into Parliament on Thursday 19th February 1998.

Mr Magrath’s Bill was passed by Parliament in April 1998..

These changes:

1. Allow members of Victoria’s large gun club, the Field & Game Association, to have use of semi-automatic shotguns when shooting at ranges.

2. Allow the Police to ignore the 28 day waiting period rule for gun purchasers who already have one gun.

3. Allow unlicensed juniors to shoot pistols, revolvers, rifles and shotguns at approved shooting ranges.

4. Allow target shooting on private property instead of being confined to shooting ranges.

5. Allow gun collections of moderate size to be kept in less secure conditions.

6. Allow those people who have been convicted of ‘lesser’ offences to be freed of the 12 month gun prohibition rule.

7. Allow pest shooting on Crown land to be used as sufficient reason to hold a shooters licence, provided the Department of Natural Resources & Environment approved.

8. Allow people to carry and use guns in towns or populous places, if approved by the Department of Natural Resources & Environment.

9. Allow theatrical armourers to be freed of certain constraints which exist at present because they are classed as firearms dealers.

Numbers 1, 2, 3, & 4 are either dangerous and/or highly objectionable. Numbers 5, 6 & 7 are unwise and the community would be safer if not made. Numbers 8 & 9 are acceptable if close supervision is ensured.

The Victorian Police Minister’s amendments appreciably weaken Victoria’s gun laws and they have been repeated in some other State’s.