Thursday, 30 August 2007

FIREARMS REGULATIONS SET TO CHANGE

The Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, wants local professional and recreational shooters, gun retailers and farmers to be aware that the Brumby government is proposing changes to firearm regulations.

Dr Sykes said the Firearms Amendment Bill is set to be introduced into Victorian Parliament when it next sits on 18 September 2007.

He said, if passed, the Bill would:

• Allow the Chief Commissioner to declare a firearm to belong to the more restrictive categories D or E;
   
• Ban increasing the magazine capacity of a firearm, if it would change its category;
   
• Introduce a more onerous ‘Collector 1’ licence for antique handguns for which cartridge ammunition is commercially available;
   
• Require gun owners to notify Victoria Police of changes relating to the firearm, including where it is stored, within 14 days;
   
• Allow security guards and other professions to be licensed for possession, use or carriage of a firearm for occupational purposes;
   
• Allow a person who has been compensated for the surrender of handguns or their licence within the previous five years to be issued a handgun licence for occupational purposes;
   
• Expand the list of banned firearms license holders; and
   
• Allow hunters unrestricted access to cross into game reserves.

“Copies of the Bill are available from my office at 2/55 Carrier Street, Benalla," Dr Sykes said.

“Anyone interested or affected by the Bill is asked to provide feedback to my office by 12 September 2007 so that I can raise any issues when the Bill is introduced to Parliament.”

Media contact: Bill Sykes (03) 5762 2100 or 0427 624 989