Issue link: http://ssaansw.uberflip.com/i/1059218
Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (NSW) Inc. 7 This means that 72% of the general public are not negative, with 30% having a positive view, and 42% simply admitting they have no real impression. Firearms restrictions The extent of restrictions on fi rearms is a major topic in any debate around ownership and use. The general public were asked their views on this topic: What are your views on current fi rearms laws in NSW? Regardless of their knowledge of fi rearms laws, responses revealed that a total of 41% of people felt that the current restrictions were about right (31%) or too restrictive (10%). Slightly fewer felt that the laws should be more restrictive (37%) and the balance of 22% admitted they didn't know enough to say. This means that the population is split roughly 40:60 again, but with the minority of 37% wanting more restrictions and the majority of 63% either satisfi ed with the current restrictions or without an opinion either way. Need for change Taking this a step further, the survey then invited participants to provide their views on the need to change NSW fi rearms laws with the question: Which of the following statements best refl ects your personal attitude towards the laws affecting fi rearms ownership in NSW? This revealed that 20% of people felt that fi rearm laws did not need tightening, including 5% who thought they were 'too tight and should be relaxed'. At the other end of the spectrum, a similar proportion of people (21%) advocated that there should be a 'ban on ownership by civilians'. Among the remaining 59% of people, 40% considered that NSW 'should only allow fi rearms under special conditions' and the remaining 19% didn't know whether they should be changed or not. This means that out of every 10 people, two want a ban on ownership, two believe laws should remain the same or relaxed and four approve of fi rearms under special conditions. This is a critical fi nding for fi rearm owners and policy makers, since the current laws do provide special conditions for ownership. However, the challenge is to ensure that the public understand how these special conditions apply.