Berejiklian and Barilaro: Follow the Feds on Mandatory Minimums for Firearms Offences
We've been trying to tackle the real problems contributing to gun crime for 20 years, but the major parties won't follow us.
Now that mandatory minimum sentences are being considered Federally, it's time that the NSW Government supported our bill for mandatory sentencing for firearms used in crime.
Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party MLC Robert Borsak today called-on Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Deputy Premier John Barilaro to support his bill for mandatory minimum sentences for firearms used in crime: the Crimes Amendment (Possession or Discharge of Firearms in Commission of Offences) Bill 2015.
This follows Federal Justice Minister Michael Keenan introducing the Criminal Code Amendment (Firearms Trafficking) Bill 2016 in Federal Parliament for mandatory minimum sentencing for illegal firearms trafficking.
“When the polls are down, both major parties default to a ‘tough on crime’ stance by bringing up ‘tough’ measures against illegal firearm crime,” Mr Borsak said.
“Licenced firearms owners are among the most law-abiding citizens anybody will find in society because of the higher standard they must uphold so they can keep their licence.
“Criminals with illegal firearms that give licenced firearms owners a bad name, but most new regulations penalise the law-abiding firearms owners instead of addressing the real problem.
“Minister Keenan said in a press release yesterday that ‘Australians can be confident that the Coalition Government is taking every action to crack down on [illegal firearms crime].’ Will Premier Berejiklian and Deputy Premier Barilaro echo this sentiment?
“For 20 years, the Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party in New South Wales has been the only party trying to introduce mandatory minimum sentences for firearms used in crime – but no major party has had the guts to support it.
“These would be an adjunct to existing sentencing considerations for criminal activities, but as soon as a firearm is discharged or produced in the commission of a crime, a mandatory minimum sentence would be imposed.
“I call on Premier Berejiklian and Deputy Premier Barilaro to support their Federal colleagues and support my bill as a matter of urgency.”
