Police Minister Rene Hidding is moving to entrench an unhealthy gun culture with his moves to lower the gun age to 15 years, Greens Leader and Police spokesperson Kim Booth MP said today
“The measures announced by Minister Hidding today to water down the state’s gun laws are an unnecessary and out of step with the majority of the community,” Mr Booth said.
“There is no good or necessary public policy reason to lower the current shooting age from 16 years to 15 year olds.”
“All this demonstrates is the worrying degree to which Mr Hidding is captured by a powerful few within the shooting lobby.”
“It is also very disappointing and inappropriate for these moves to water-down our gun laws to be announced on the day the parliament is formally acknowledging White Ribbon Day, a national campaign to end violence against women.”
“Violence against anyone in our community is unacceptable, and making access easier to dangerous weapons is irresponsible and risks entrenching an unhealthy gun culture,” Mr Booth said.