SSAA NSW

20 In early February, we launched an online petition ("ePetition") opposing the negative consequences of the Firearms and Weapons Legislation (Criminal Use) Bill 2020. This proposed Bill is unacceptable in its current form and provides police with additional discretionary powers for search and seizure of firearms and firearm parts without due cause. The Bill also attempts to remove basic legal rights under common law, including the presumption of innocence and the right to silence and directly effects the following groups: FARMERS Farmers will be criminalised for possessing the tools deemed "firearms precursors," in order to repair and maintain their essential equipment. WORKSHOPS Workshops, businesses, volunteer associations and training organisations will be criminalised for using tools that the Bill is considering a "firearm precursor". HUNTERS Ethical hunters and conservationists will be criminalised for using "precursors" (spare parts and tools) to repair and maintain a safe and efficient firearm in the field. SPORTS SHOOTERS Sports Shooters competing at all levels (including the Olympics) will also be criminalised for the equipment they require for modifications. ePetition Campaign: Stronger Together In initiating the ePetition campaign, SSAA NSW established the following goals: • Encourage all SSAA NSW members and the wider NSW public to sign the ePetition. • Gain 20,000 signatures within 12 weeks. • Unite the shooting community. • Ensure Government does not proceed with the Bill in proposed form. The support of our members was extremely important to the success of the ePetition, as we needed 20,000 signatures for this issue to be debated on the floor of Parliament. In just 13 days, however, our ePetition garnered more than 25,000 signatures! As of 28 March, the ePetition had grown to be the largest ePetition in NSW history. SSAA NSW collaborated with various industry bodies to achieve this result. Our statistics showed a direct correlation between signatures and members who clicked on the ePetition link in our email campaigns: • By the end of the ePetition launch day (Day 1), we had 6,200 signatures and a corresponding 5,841 email clicks. • By the end of Day 2, we had an additional 4,000 signatures and a corresponding 5,614 email clicks. • The increase in email clicks and signatures on the ePetition corresponded with The Largest ePetition in NSW history.

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