The Victorian Firearm Traders Association pointed to the NSW premier’s acknowledgement that the investigation remained incomplete, but that he had introduced wide ranging legislative changes that would impact the recreational licensed firearms community.
The VFTA welcomed the announcement by Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan committing to an evidence-based approach to public safety.
VFTA president Steven Threlfall, from Shepparton, said the association supported sensible measures that strengthened community safety, including tighter scrutiny in the acquisition of firearms licences by non-citizens and individuals with radicalised or terrorist-based backgrounds or associations.
“At the same time, we will continue to advocate strongly for fact-based, proportionate solutions and urge political leaders to refrain from penalising more than one million law-abiding Australians through reactionary or unfair policy responses.
“Effective reform must be grounded in evidence, proper consultation and respect for those who comply with the law,” Mr Threlfall said.
“Licensed firearm owners are not the cause of terrorism, and policy responses must not unjustly target responsible citizens.”
To prevent such a tragedy from ever occurring again, the VFTA is arguing for a thorough royal commission to investigate the root causes of the attack and the official actions surrounding the Bondi incident.
“Understanding failures, warning signs and decision-making processes is essential to ensuring meaningful and lasting reform,” Mr Threlfall said.
“For those wishing to take action, we encourage you to write to your local members of parliament to advocate for balanced, evidence-driven reform that enhances public safety while protecting lawful ownership of firearms.”
The lower house of the NSW parliament overwhelmingly voted in favour of the sweeping changes on Monday night, including measures to limit protests, stem hate speech and crack down on gun ownership.
But in a split from coalition partners the Liberals, Nationals MPs voted against the combined bill due to concerns about the firearms changes, which cap the number of guns people can own to four and limit magazine capacities.
The measures follow the December 14 shooting at Bondi Beach, during which 15 people were killed and dozens injured by two gunmen targeting a Hanukkah event.
— with AAP
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