PINT of Stella, mate!
17-11-2006, 02:53 PM
courtesy of the age:
Shooters declare 'buy a gun day'
November 17, 2006 - 11:39AM
A shooters' rights group has called for tomorrow to be a national buy a gun day, drawing strong opposition from gun control lobbyists.
The Coalition of Law Abiding Sporting Shooters (CLASS) is promoting the idea of a special day for shooters, arguing that gun ownership teaches individual responsibility and important life skills.
"Participation in Buy a Gun day is simple," Peter Whelan, president of CLASS said today.
"For those who already own a gun, visit your local gun shop and buy another one," he said in a statement.
"If you have never owned a gun, visit your local shooting club, talk with the members and join up. If you want the full details on getting your firearms licence and purchasing your first gun, just contact the Firearms Registry."
Mr Whelan cited the advice of celebrated Australian poet Henry Lawson who once wrote that every man should own a rifle and have cartridges in store.
"If Henry had written those words in 2006, rather than 1907, he would surely have made it every man and woman for shooting sports and gun ownership is open to men and women. It is the great equaliser," he said.
"Gun ownership develops self-confidence and teaches individual responsibility, essential lessons for day-to-day living. The shooting sports involve control, coordination and patience, which are also important life skills."
Mr Whelan said young people taught these important lessons through gun ownership were far less likely to get involved in drugs or other anti-social behaviour.
Gun control advocates have described the promotion of gun culture as unacceptable.
Under current national firearms laws, only a person holding a firearms licence may buy a gun and then only by submitting an application for a permit to acquire to their state registry then waiting 28 days.
Roland Browne, co-chair of the National Coalition for Gun Control, said victims of firearms violence and their relatives would find the idea abhorrent.
"In 1996 Australia decided to move away from the American gun culture where people just wandered out and purchased guns on a whim," he said.
"It is illegal for people to just turn up at a gun store and buy a gun. That can't occur in Australia.
"Clearly this is a front for the firearms dealers and importers and it is unacceptable that because Australian interest in firearms is waning, they are trying to promote the purchase of guns as if it is the same as purchasing a ribbon for AIDS victims or a badge for Amnesty International."
"It is privilege to own a firearm in Australia and promotion of the gun culture is no longer acceptable."
AAP
My first thought was 'Cool! I'm gonna get me a .50 calibre!" but then I thought " Do we have to do this every year" I dunno where I'll keep them all. :confused:
Having said that, it is pretty close to christmas...
Shooters declare 'buy a gun day'
November 17, 2006 - 11:39AM
A shooters' rights group has called for tomorrow to be a national buy a gun day, drawing strong opposition from gun control lobbyists.
The Coalition of Law Abiding Sporting Shooters (CLASS) is promoting the idea of a special day for shooters, arguing that gun ownership teaches individual responsibility and important life skills.
"Participation in Buy a Gun day is simple," Peter Whelan, president of CLASS said today.
"For those who already own a gun, visit your local gun shop and buy another one," he said in a statement.
"If you have never owned a gun, visit your local shooting club, talk with the members and join up. If you want the full details on getting your firearms licence and purchasing your first gun, just contact the Firearms Registry."
Mr Whelan cited the advice of celebrated Australian poet Henry Lawson who once wrote that every man should own a rifle and have cartridges in store.
"If Henry had written those words in 2006, rather than 1907, he would surely have made it every man and woman for shooting sports and gun ownership is open to men and women. It is the great equaliser," he said.
"Gun ownership develops self-confidence and teaches individual responsibility, essential lessons for day-to-day living. The shooting sports involve control, coordination and patience, which are also important life skills."
Mr Whelan said young people taught these important lessons through gun ownership were far less likely to get involved in drugs or other anti-social behaviour.
Gun control advocates have described the promotion of gun culture as unacceptable.
Under current national firearms laws, only a person holding a firearms licence may buy a gun and then only by submitting an application for a permit to acquire to their state registry then waiting 28 days.
Roland Browne, co-chair of the National Coalition for Gun Control, said victims of firearms violence and their relatives would find the idea abhorrent.
"In 1996 Australia decided to move away from the American gun culture where people just wandered out and purchased guns on a whim," he said.
"It is illegal for people to just turn up at a gun store and buy a gun. That can't occur in Australia.
"Clearly this is a front for the firearms dealers and importers and it is unacceptable that because Australian interest in firearms is waning, they are trying to promote the purchase of guns as if it is the same as purchasing a ribbon for AIDS victims or a badge for Amnesty International."
"It is privilege to own a firearm in Australia and promotion of the gun culture is no longer acceptable."
AAP
My first thought was 'Cool! I'm gonna get me a .50 calibre!" but then I thought " Do we have to do this every year" I dunno where I'll keep them all. :confused:
Having said that, it is pretty close to christmas...