Coaltion Government grilled in controversy over gun law changes

The Canberra Times has argued in its editorial titled 'Gun controls must not be watered down for political convenience' that it is a bizarre position to adopt given that Australia's record of no mass shootings for two decades is the envy of much of the world and is rightly regarded as John Howard's greatest achievement.

Controversy over gun law changes spark the loggerheads between the incumbent and the former PMs. Source: AAP

Given the availability of both the five-shot Adler and pump action shotguns for those with a legitimate need for them, it is hard to follow the reasoning used by those, including some National Party members, who say Australia's rural community has a pressing need for the seven-shot version of the weapon.

There appears to be absolutely no community benefit to be obtained from allowing it into the country.

 

This has to be balanced against the absolute certainty that if the gun activists did get their way numerous examples would soon be in the hands of criminals and turning up at armed robberies and in gangland shootings.

 

The issue should be seen for what it is; the thin end of the wedge.