FIREARMS: CONTROL

The State National Party has come out strongly in opposition to any further restrictions or controls on legal firearm ownership.

The Nationals' Leader in the Upper House, Gippsland MP Peter Hall, took the step of putting the party's view on record in Parliament this week.

"Last week the Prime Minister made public comments suggesting the need for further restrictions on firearm ownership in Australia," Mr Hall said.

"I wish to put on record my firm view and that of my colleagues in The Nationals that there is no need for further controls on firearm ownership and that we reject the Prime Minister's comments.

"Following the Port Arthur shootings 10 years ago and the handgun shootings at Monash University in more recent years, Victoria introduced very strict controls on the ownership, use and type of firearms that can be legally used in this state. Those controls extend to both long arms and handguns."

Mr Hall said more attention needed to be given to illegally held firearms.

"It is the illegally held firearms rather than the legally held ones in our community that may present some concern and risk. We support moves to clamp down on illegally held firearms, but believe that any further measures to restrict the legal ownership and use of firearms are totally unwarranted."

Mr Hall commended the "many thousands" of Victorians who legally own and use firearms in a responsible manner, whether they are target shooters, hunters, primary producers or security and law enforcement officers.

The Combined Firearms Council of Victoria has also challenged the State Liberal Party to rebuff the Prime Minister's comments but without any response.

Media contact: Peter Hall (03) 5174 7066