Following Police Superintendent Fisk’s successful crackdown on unlicensed shooters and illegal guns in the Yarra District of Victoria, Gun Control Australia (GCA) has written to Police Ministers and Commissioners in all other States and Territories demanding similar efforts within their jurisdictions.

“We applaud Supt Fisk’s achievement, and the decision to adopt his methods Victoria-wide,” said GCA Spokesperson Randy Marshall.

“However, we deplore the fact that this initiative occurred almost by accident at Supt Fisk’s initiative and not as a State-wide directive from Chief Commissioner Comrie to all police regions. Mr Comrie’s endorsement of the initiative yesterday is laudable, but late.

“Today, GCA has called on Police Ministers and Commissioners in all other States to demonstrate their achievements (if any) in this vital area and to report on plans for the future,” Mr Marshall said.

“GCA figures indicate there are over 300,000 illegal weapons still held in Australia — representing a massive threat to the community. Gun Lobby estimates (as expressed by the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia in 1997 in their organ ‘The Shooter’s Journal’) suggest that number could be closer to 1.3 million guns — many presumably held by self-proclaimed ‘law-abiding’ shooters,” Mr Marshall said.

“With 207,000 weapons bought back by September, 1997, Victoria had the best gun buy-back rate, and is arguably the safest state in the country in terms of numbers of illegal weapons still in circulation. Despite a far larger population base, New South Wales only handed in 154,000 guns. At 129,000, Queensland’s take was also proportionately less than Victoria’s.

“The onus is clearly on the police in NSW and Qld to pro-actively seek out the great number of illegal weapons still lurking in cupboards, under beds and in arms caches around their States”.

“Is the Northern Territory’s police force pursuing illegal weapons with vigour equal to Supt Fisk’s? Are Federal Police in the ACT? Are Tasmanian police? Are their colleagues in South Australia and Western Australia following suit? Our letters to State Police Commissioners have asked for reports on their activities to date and plans for the future,” Mr Marshall said.

“To our knowledge, no single person has been fined for keeping an illegal weapon — despite the buy-back close date in September 1997. Part of the problem is irresponsible amnesties. In Victoria, the Kennett Government has effectively rendered the Port Arthur Gun Laws toothless, first offering illegal gun owners a five-month amnesty followed by a further two-year extended amnesty.

“Despite this, Supt Fisk felt that his community was sufficiently at risk to pro-actively initiate his licence checking and gun collection activities.

“It’s time for all jurisdictions to stop being soft on owners of illegal guns. Only when the fines and jail terms called for in the Port Arthur Gun Laws (Typically $6000 to $12,000, with the possibility of 1 to 2 years jail terms) start to bite will the 300,000+ illegal weapons still in circulation emerge from hiding,” Mr Marshall concluded.