The Liberal candidate for the federal seat of Ballarat, Olympic shooting gold medalist Mr Russell Mark, has told a major gun magazine that he wants to see the gun laws reviewed. At the moment there is some doubt about Mr Mark’s candidacy, however, the public need to realise the nature of Mr Mark’s intentions in regard to gun laws.

Gun Control Australia spokesperson Mr Randy Marshall said “Earlier this year Mr Mark expressed his views on gun laws to a leading Australian gun magazine. If elected Mr Mark has indicated that he hopes to allow the majority of banned semi automatic guns (rimfire rifles and shotguns) to become available again”.

Mr Marshall noted that “This will affect the majority of the 640,000 guns withdrawn from circulation during the 1996-7 gun buy-back”. “We estimate that over half a million semi auto rimfire rifles and semi auto and pump action shotguns would be added to the Australian gun inventory”.

“This represents an enormous danger to the Australian public and makes the entire gun buy-back scheme a farce” said Mr Marshall.

One must therefore question Mr Mark’s motives in standing for election to the Federal Parliament.