“The horror that occurred in the Littleton school is partly a result of a gun culture which Australia shows disturbing signs of mirroring,” said GCA Spokesperson Randy Marshall.

“Despite stricter gun laws on long guns introduced following the Port Arthur massacre almost three years ago and satisfying decreases in the levels of long-gun (rifle, shotgun and semi-automatic, military-style rifle) homicides over the past two decades, handgun homicide is on the increase.

“Why? Inadequate controls on gun collections, undiminished handgun importation (Average of 8000 per year for the last 20 years); badly- policed handgun issue and controls in the security industry and in pistol clubs, and a healthy handgun black market are all contributors to Australia’s shift towards a new ‘handgun violence’ phase,” Mr Marshall said. “The third anniversary of Port Arthur is close but parliamentarians have forgotten the connection”.

“Gun Control Australia has actively lobbied legislators and police ministers to tighten handgun controls – with our concerns falling on deaf ears. We have asked the Police Ministers Council to form a handgun sub-committee to examine the escalating handgun problem”. “We have also called on Australian Olympic and Commonwealth Games organisers to withdraw their endorsement of handgun events. Every Australian ‘winner’ in these events (including the ‘combat’-style Bianchi Cup quick-draw pistol competition) glorifies handgun use – employing targets which are obviously human beings,” Mr Marshall said. So far, legislators, sporting administrators and police have failed to recognise the dangers inherent in their continued approval for handgun ownership and use.

“Sadly, those responsible for Australian gun laws are waiting for a Dunblane Scotland or Littleton, Colorado, to happen in Laverton, Lismore, Longreach or another Australian city – and then and only then will they display the courage and political will required to actually take steps to reduce the chances of handgun disasters of this kind occurring,” Mr Marshall said.