Australia is often held up as an international example of best practice when it comes to gun control. But new research has found compliance with firearms regulations is starting to slip.
The U-S is reeling from another mass shooting. But, Australians enjoy the protection of gun laws, enacted in the wake of the Port Arthur massacre in Tasmania in 1996. Then Prime Minister John Howard banned semi-automatic rifles and pump action shotguns, while the government bought back and destroyed nearly 700,000 firearms. But a report released this week by Gun Control Australia says no state or territory has ever fully complied with firearms resolutions. Samantha Lee from Gun Control Australia says gun ownership is increasing.
LEE:
"Our gun numbers are on the rise and there's no doubt in my mind that's in connection with the diluting of our gun laws. We need to reduce the number of guns in the legal market so they don't flow into the illegal market."
In New South Wales, semi-automatics are permitted for shooters whose occupation isn't pest control. Queensland and South Australia allow possession of a pistol or revolver during the first six months of a handgun licence. In W-A, Victoria and the Northern Territory, permits for a second firearm may be exempt from the 28-day cooling off period. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews says he has already taken steps to limit the possession of illegal firearms in his state.
ANDREWS:
"Very early on in our term in office, we changed illegal firearm laws across the state, very significant penalties. We've got some bills in the parliament at the moment that deal with giving to Victoria police extraordinary powers of search and seizure, where there's a resonable suspicion that illegal firearms are involved."
Federal opposition leader Bill Shorten is calling for an extension on the nationwide gun amnesty, which ended last week. Around 28,000 guns have been surrendered in the last three months, although it's believed there are still 600,000 firearms in Australia. Mr Shorten told Channel Nine, there needs to be a crackdown on gun smugglers.
SHORTEN :
"We need to put our foot down and say that if you are a gun smuggler, if you're running a criminal syndicate bringing illegal firearms to Australia, you could face life imprisonment."
At COAG meeting in Canberra, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull defended the states and territories commitment to gun control.
TURNBULL:
"I'm satisfied that all of the jurisdictions represented here are absolutely united in our commitment to maintaining the strong and strict gun control laws and the National Firearms Agreement that everyone is a party to and that was put in place more than 20 years ago by John Howard."
Children's charity, the Alannah and Madeline Foundation, was established after the Port Arthur massacre. Alannah and Madeline Mikac, aged six and three, and their mother, were amongst the 35 people who were shot and killed. The Foundation's Lesley Podesta says Australia needs to continue to lead the way in gun control.
PODESTA:
"I do sadly think that we have a lot to learn from what's happened in the United States. Australia has made such a massive difference, we've got to continue to take that role, and not be swayed by sectional interests within certain states and territories."
Despite the warnings, Australia remains the world leader in reducing gun-related deaths, with no mass shootings since Port Arthur.
