Lobbiest have lever actions in sights / NFA Review

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plumbs7
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Lobbiest have lever actions in sights / NFA Review

#1 Postby plumbs7 » Sat Jun 27, 2015 2:39 pm

Hi , just so you are all aware , don't want to get political but! From shooters union Qld.

Lever Action - the new DEMON GUN!
Many of you may have read or viewed disturbing media reports over the past week on how Victorian Police are “concerned” about a new “rapid fire” lever action shotgun about to be released for sale in Australia. As expected these reports have been followed by calls in the media and by various “experts” and officials for a rethink (read new gun grab) on Australian gun laws.

At Shooters Union we have been aware of a disturbing trend appearing over the past year. First a rumour here and a dropped word there from someone in a meeting. We were hesitant to bring it to our members because, to be honest, every single official that was approached denied there were any plans afoot to change legislation regarding certain types of firearms.

OOPS, now it appears these same people are coming out from their dark little corners because they think a modern lever action shotgun can be used to make the public fearful enough to push even more non-effective restrictions on you, the legitimate law-abiding firearm user.

In a nutshell, this is what we have been hearing over the past year or so:
Various state police officials in several states, have been working together with a shadowy group that operates under the Commonwealth Attorney General’s Office (Firearms and Weapons Policy Working Group) on various firearm related issues and one that has been repeatedly raised has been the concept of heavily restricting “Manually Operated Rapid Fire Weapons” MORFW (surely only a government department could even imagine such a title).

MORFW’s include the following:
• All lever action firearms (rifle/shotgun)
• ALL pump rifles (pump action shotguns already heavily restricted)
• Straight pull bolt action rifles with detachable magazines
The basic proposal is that MORFW’s should be reclassified as Category C firearms, as is currently done for self loading rimfire rifles and shotguns and pump action shotguns. This means that 95% of shooters could not own or use them!

BUT, here is the good news. To accomplish this the Federal government would have to get ALL Australian state governments to agree to change their legislation.
This will be hard to do as most state governments have ZERO interest in changing these laws and going through all the massive political fight that will come with such proposals (I am hoping you are in the fight right alongside us).

So that is exactly why you are now seeing very carefully dropped articles in media across the country about the new “demon shotgun” that can fire so rapidly and is “deadly” (I guess other 12 gauge shotguns are not deadly??). The people pushing for these outrageous changes need a focus, something to try and gain some support and the lever action shotgun has been picked as the new poster child for “bad gun”.

Leaving aside the inherent idiocy of the whole “good” gun “bad” gun concept we live with in Australia, this new move against what amounts to probably 30-40% of all legally owned firearms is mind numbing.

As firearm owners we need to be united in opposing this concept totally, utterly and completely.

Some facts:

Lever Action Shotguns have been around since the 1880s, and newmodels have been selling well in Australia for a number of years without problems.

• Lever action rifles are the second most popular action type in Australia and have been selling here since the 1870s.
• All firearms are safe in the right hands.
We will be keeping you informed of any developments in this area, and in fact we are taking it so seriously that in the next week we will announce a major event that Shooters Union will be sponsoring to raise awareness of how we can improve our firearm laws while not making them dumber and less effective.

This will be something you can fully participate in and will, in our opinion be the biggest step by firearm owners since 1996 to get a “fair go” for shooters. So keep watching for some big things VERY soon.

In the meantime, write or talk to your local MPs and let them know your feelings on the issue. The only way these laws will get through is if you and your shooting friends say nothing and do nothing.

Link to Queensland MP’s

https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/docum ... EMLIST.pdf

ACT NOW!
Graham Park
President
Shooters Union Queensland
Last edited by plumbs7 on Fri Oct 21, 2016 3:29 pm, edited 2 times in total.

sevenmil
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Re: Lobbiest have lever actions in sights

#2 Postby sevenmil » Sat Jun 27, 2015 9:20 pm

:shock: Guys this is why we need to band together with all the other shooting organisations in the country to form a much more powerful lobby group. Australian United Shooters Association !

I know about all the politics with SSAA, NRA etc, but we really need to put this aside with a goal of creating an organisation with 1-2million people !

plumbs7
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Re: Lobbiest have lever actions in sights

#3 Postby plumbs7 » Sun Jun 28, 2015 9:12 am

I don't want to drag this into the f class arena as we are not into politics as such! But we do have to be aware of what's going on ! I own 2 lever guns , so I do have a vested interest. The main reason I put this up was to wright to your local member if you feel strongly about it .

To protect f class , this is my last comment , cheers !

Mick_762
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Re: Lobbiest have lever actions in sights

#4 Postby Mick_762 » Wed Jul 01, 2015 1:50 pm

[quote=].....snip.... as we are not into politics as such! ......snip..... quote]

I removed the name from this post on purpose, to highlight that fact that apathy is a killer for ALL law abiding firearm owners not as a direct antagonistic poke at plumbs7.

Wheather you want to get all "political" or not, once any Politician thinks he can get votes by placing even further restrictions on an already over regulated and restricted MINORITY - then they will try and ban everything - yes even the single shot TR / F / FO rifle is in danger - eventually, and apathy will kill it colder than a Politican's kiss.

Mick
David Mickel
Darwin Rifle Club

AlanF
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Re: Lobbiest have lever actions in sights

#5 Postby AlanF » Wed Jul 01, 2015 3:45 pm

The Shooters and Fishers Party are not typical politicians. Unlike the major parties, our rights are one of their major concerns. In these days of minority government in upper houses, they only need a seat or two in each State upper house to make deals with major parties and get things done. Getting a few Shooters and Fishers candidates elected is much more effective than lobbying local pollies.

Peter L
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Location: Bacchus Marsh

Re: Lobbiest have lever actions in sights

#6 Postby Peter L » Sun Jul 05, 2015 2:58 pm

AlanF wrote:The Shooters and Fishers Party are not typical politicians. Unlike the major parties, our rights are one of their major concerns. In these days of minority government in upper houses, they only need a seat or two in each State upper house to make deals with major parties and get things done. Getting a few Shooters and Fishers candidates elected is much more effective than lobbying local pollies.

I agree with Alan.Forget your local politicians.Vote in our right guys in the upper house.That's the only way to protect our sport.
Peter

Sam Walker
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Re: Lobbiest have lever actions in sights

#7 Postby Sam Walker » Mon Jul 06, 2015 10:49 pm

AlanF wrote:The Shooters and Fishers Party are not typical politicians. Unlike the major parties, our rights are one of their major concerns. In these days of minority government in upper houses, they only need a seat or two in each State upper house to make deals with major parties and get things done. Getting a few Shooters and Fishers candidates elected is much more effective than lobbying local pollies.


Spot on - one of the majors will win government without the votes of shooters/fishers/other outdoorsy people - but the SFP can't do anything without our votes. Why on earth anyone would still vote along traditional lines is beyond me. Either side of the majors will kill off shooting bit by bit for political mileage when it suits them. Unless we start voting ourselves more representation.
Sam

Tim L
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Re: Lobbiest have lever actions in sights

#8 Postby Tim L » Tue Jul 07, 2015 7:28 pm

Sam Walker wrote:
AlanF wrote:The Shooters and Fishers Party are not typical politicians. Unlike the major parties, our rights are one of their major concerns. In these days of minority government in upper houses, they only need a seat or two in each State upper house to make deals with major parties and get things done. Getting a few Shooters and Fishers candidates elected is much more effective than lobbying local pollies.


Spot on - one of the majors will win government without the votes of shooters/fishers/other outdoorsy people - but the SFP can't do anything without our votes. Why on earth anyone would still vote along traditional lines is beyond me. Either side of the majors will kill off shooting bit by bit for political mileage when it suits them. Unless we start voting ourselves more representation.


Either side of the majors will destroy this country entirely.

plumbs7
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Re: Lobbiest have lever actions in sights

#9 Postby plumbs7 » Wed Aug 05, 2015 6:46 pm

I wrote a letter of complaint to The hon Bruce Scott my local mp today. I encourage everyone to do the same. Regards Graham.

Sam Walker
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Joined: Thu Jan 26, 2006 3:19 pm
Location: South West of WA

Re: Lobbiest have lever actions in sights

#10 Postby Sam Walker » Thu Aug 06, 2015 12:32 am

The Weekly Times has published a report that the NFA review has been in the works for a long time. Faceless bureaucrats are working behind closed doors to ban firearms. This time it's lever and pump action rifles. When they are gone, what will be next ? The Gun Control Lobby won't retire on that ! Maybe they'll turn their attention to long range sniper rifles - we'll start seeing stories with the likes of David Shoebridge very concerned at the idea of high powered, long range, precision weapons that can hit a head sized target from several hundred metres away.
Shooters need to stick together, put aside prejudices against other disciplines and stop voting for the major parties !
Sam

bimbo
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Re: Lobbiest have lever actions in sights

#11 Postby bimbo » Thu Aug 06, 2015 9:27 am

sevenmil wrote::shock: Guys this is why we need to band together with all the other shooting organisations in the country to form a much more powerful lobby group. Australian United Shooters Association !

I know about all the politics with SSAA, NRA etc, but we really need to put this aside with a goal of creating an organisation with 1-2million people !


That is exactly right, it shouldn't be a case of 'I only shoot target so it doesn't effect me' or 'I don't own or want to own a lever gun' type mentality if we all band together and kick up a fuss writing letters to local and state MPs then we will be noticed.

Cheers
James

plumbs7
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Re: Lobbiest have lever actions in sights

#12 Postby plumbs7 » Fri Aug 07, 2015 1:18 pm

From another forum. Very scary!



Re: Lobbiest have lever actions in sights
« Reply #9 on: Today at 08:10:01 AM »
Quote
They also have your long range rifles in their sights too. No one can sit on their hands this time.

SFP Vic FB post April 17 this year:

"Shooters and Fishers Party MP’s Jeff Bourman and Daniel Young have been recently made aware of a working group with the Federal Government that reports to COAG on National Firearms and Weapons Policy.

From the information received, recommendations were made at a recent meeting that consideration be given to changing certain 'technical aspects' of the National Firearms Agreement. The technical aspects would be the re-classification of numerous firearms, from Categories A and B to Category C.

Some of the firearms that could be reclassified would include:
Lever action shotguns and rifles (calibre not specified)
Pump action rifles (Calibre not specified)
Rifles of any type based on ballistic performance (no specifications)
Rifles based on magazine capacity (not specified)

There would also be an 'alignment' over genuine reasons and a change to a yearly license for C category.

There was no consideration given regarding compensation for those that won't or can't meet the requirements for a category C license.

Whilst it must be stressed that the working group cannot make binding policy it must be remembered that groups such as these present policy positions to groups such as COAG and can become policy and even legislation.

Jeff Bourman stated “Making it tougher for the law abiding shooters is not the answer to reducing crime as criminals don’t obey the law, that’s why they are criminals”

The Shooters and Fishers Party completely rejects the need for any of these proposals and indeed we suggest that we should be looking at some deregulation of existing regulations to enable the licensed and law abiding shooters to enjoy fuller participation in their legal and safe past time."

Peter L
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Re: Lobbiest have lever actions in sights

#13 Postby Peter L » Fri Aug 07, 2015 2:04 pm

SSAA is the only one body with guts to face the politicians and point out that Australia has 800,000 licensed shootres(voters)!!.NRAA is in deep and prolong coma as usual.
Peter

plumbs7
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Re: Lobbiest have lever actions in sights

#14 Postby plumbs7 » Fri Aug 07, 2015 3:38 pm

Here is an update from SSAA as of today the 7 th. Regards Graham.

SSAA FACE-TO-FACE WITH ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT - NFA AND ADLER DISCUSSED AT LENGTH
07 August 2015 / In Politics
SSAA National met with senior federal Attorney-General’s officials earlier this week in Canberra, who reassured us that Justice Minister Michael Keenan has called for meaningful and direct consultation regarding the technical review of the National Firearms Agreement (NFA).

The Attorney-General’s Department said it would practice evidence-based policy and committed itself to open and transparent consultation with key stakeholders, including the firearms industry and recreational user groups such as us. Another meeting is being held today in Brisbane, with a further meeting planned in the near future.

In the meeting, SSAA National President Geoff Jones and CEO Tim Bannister stressed the need for the SSAA to be involved on the ground regarding any changes or adjustments to the NFA, as these have the potential to directly affect our members.

We encouraged the Attorney-General’s Department to meet with likeminded associations and the industry, and reminded them that the SSAA has had a long history in positively advising and working with the government through previous Firearms Advisory Councils. We also reminded them that the SSAA has represented the Australian Government at the United Nations Small Arms and Light Weapons meetings, along with other similar meetings and treaties.

While we questioned the temporary ban of the Adler 110 lever-action shotgun based on potential terrorism concerns, we were pleased to hear that the Minister has stressed it is strictly a temporary ban until the full review is complete. We understand that the Minister is putting this in writing in a reply to our open letter, where we expressed our shock and serious disappointment at the temporary ban without talking to ourselves or Nioa, the importer.

We further explained the benefits of the Adler in relation to pest control and shooting competitions, and reminded the Attorney-General’s Department that lever-action technology has been in use for more than 100 years.

The SSAA will continue our work in ensuring that the liberties of the 800,000 licensed firearm owners across Australia are not further infringed upon, and we will keep our members informed regarding any developments as they come to hand.

plumbs7
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Re: Lobbiest have lever actions in sights

#15 Postby plumbs7 » Mon Aug 10, 2015 1:27 pm

An email today from Qld Shooters Union!

For the first time in Australian history, legislation is being readied to limit the capacity of integral firearm magazines. The limit has already been put in place by a change in the customs regulations, which means it did not go through Parliament and there has been no opportunity for public scrutiny or debate.

Customs changed the import regulation adding the words “fitted with a firearm magazine having a capacity of no more than 5 rounds” everywhere lever action shotguns appear.

This is a very dangerous precedent as the ruling can be easily applied to a wide range of fire-arms. To see a copy of the changes click here.

Remember that Canberra’s focus is not just on the Adler but on all “Manually Operated Rapid Fire Weapons” MORFW and these include all lever action, pump and straight pull firearms. We have a copy of the Firearms Policy Working Group's (FPWG) firearms ban wish list and it is more draconian then we could ever imagine!

We have a copy of their minutes from 2005. Click here to view the FPWG's minutes.

Yes, the bureaucrats have been wanting to make these changes for 10 years! They have been waiting for an event to trigger a change to the National Firearms Agreement and it seems they have chosen the Lindt Cafe siege to be the justification.

If the shotgun limit is adopted by the States, this will ban the several thousand 8 shot IAC and Chiapa’s already in legal ownership around Australia.

All gun owners need to keep an eagle eye on the move by any State to adopt a similar ban and let them know your feelings on the matter. Contact your MP today. Don’t delay.

To help make it easier to let your local politicians know how you feel, we've developed a political lobbying tool for members... see below for more information.

Shooters Union will be naming and shaming but you can influence the outcome.

Pick up the phone, write an email and/or set a meeting NOW.

Introducing the
Shooters Union of Queensland
Political Lobbying Tool
To make it easier for you to contact your local member of parliament, we've created a Political Lobbying System.

Here's how to use it:
1. Login to www.shootersunionqld.com.au
2. Select "Send Message to Politicians" from the drop down options.
3. Complete the fields including who you want to send the email to (more being added all the time).
4. Write your email.
(Please note: As politicians have varying titles, we've programmed the greeting into the system, to save you time.)
5. Click Send.... It's that easy.


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