During a special operation in recent months police found that over half of gun owners in the Borroondara (Malvern, Prahran, Kew etc) areas did not store their guns legally. If ever there was an indication that the training and credentialisation of shooters is totally inadequate, it is this news.

President of Gun Control Australia, John Crook, said that, “There is almost certainly a connection between the irresponsible behaviour of shooters and the fact that so little demand was made on them during the training and testing process which led to them being accredited to own guns.”

“For several years we have known that in Victoria 99.9% of those who sat for the shooters safety training test actually passed the test – this is a ridiculously high pass rate and indicates that there is likely to be cheating or coaching with answers which is apparently condoned by many of the examiners” said Mr Crook. “It is also a likely indication that the intellectual training is ridiculously inadequate.”

“The Victorian government and the Police Ministers Council must address this inadequate training and testing program for shooters” said Mr Crook. “It is immensely regrettable that the Sporting Shooters Association has worked to stop the Federal Government from introducing an improved training course” said Mr Crook. ” It is only by the introduction of a prolonged, demanding, and strictly supervised training and testing safety program that shooters will be disciplined to follow the gun laws and store their guns safely”, said Mr Crook.

“Guns stored improperly are easily stolen and unfortunately Australia has a major social problem with stolen guns”, said Mr Crook.