Gun Control Australia (GCA) is shocked at the Victorian ALP’s refusal to address gun control issues, as demonstrated in their recent crime policy statement titled: NO MORE EXCUSES ON CRIME — LABOR’S COMMUNITY PROTECTION ACTION PLAN.

Under the heading ‘Community Safety’, the ALP has managed to not use the word “Gun” once. GCA believes strongly that one of the most important steps which need to be taken to control crime in this State and is to staunch the loopholes created in our gun laws by the Kennett Government.

At particular risk are families and women — frequently victims in domestic disputes which Mr Bracks says he will target. However, domestic disputes and guns are a dangerous cocktail, and Mr Bracks seems unaware of the threat they pose — both to victims and to the police called out to handle incidents.

Mr Bracks has totally failed to recognise or address the vitally important problem of gun control, despite the fact that there are literally fatal weaknesses in Victoria’s gun controls and despite the fact that there is still a significant amount of gun misuse.

Mr Bracks calls himself ‘A NEW STYLE OF LEADER’. GCA agrees –particularly as the evidence in this handbook indicates he is the first Labor leader in almost two decades to kow-tow to the gun lobby.

It appears that Mr Bracks will do anything to win favour with the gun-lobby, despite the fact that the public need much stricter gun controls following their emasculation by amendments made by the Kennett Government in 1998, contrary to the letter and spirit of the National Agreement on Gun Laws.

Just last year, Mr Brumby at least challenged the Kennett Government’s weakening of the gun laws. But not Mr Bracks. He has published a 23-page’ Community Protection Plan’ which panders shamelessly to pro-gun shooters groups by not making a single mention of the gun problem or its contribution to crime in this State. He has made no indication of Labour’s commitment to stricter gun laws. Indeed, he has assured gun collectors and hunters ( who constitute the majority of gun owners) that there will be ‘appropriate exceptions’ to any new controls. Mr Bracks and the ALP’s non-policies on gun control represents a clear danger to all Victorians.

For four months Gun Control Australia has been asking Mr Bracks just which of the 10 major gun law weaknesses he will take action on. He has been consistent in his refusal to comment — except to deceive us by telling us that he was going to do something soon. Mr Bracks is either as pro-gun as the National Party or he lacks the courage to declare his desire for stricter gun controls.

If this is the New, more democratic, more open Labor leader; pity help those who believe his rhetoric or think he is following the gun control policies of past Labor leaders.