Issue link: http://ssaansw.uberflip.com/i/1383230
8 EPETITION We had always planned to raise our ePetition immediately after Australia Day. We were already in a strong position, however, there was concern around the fact that the ePetition required 20,000 signatures for it to be debated on the floor of Parliament and to date this only had been achieved on less than a handful of occasions in the history of ePetitions. Additionally, if we did not reach a large percentage of that number, insufficient signatures could be perceived as a lack of cohesion and being politically weak. This was ultimately a simple decision. If we want to ensure that legal firearms owners have input to effective, evidence-based legislation whilst ensuring criminal use of firearms are also managed by effective legislation, then we have to take ownership of our advocacy and trust in the engagement of our members. The rapid overnight response of 120 members responding to our first memo gave further confidence, and that early support translated into a huge response with 6,900 members signing the ePetition over the first full day it went live on the Parliament's website, further proving that this was an issue that legal firearms owners felt strongly about. The rest is now history. We believe that this was the fastest ePetition to reach 20,000 and we now have the largest number of signatures of any ePetition in NSW Parliament's history, with the ePetition closing at over 28,400 signatures. The Parliamentary website crashed twice in the first week of our campaign due to the number of Members signing the ePetition in a short space of time. A spectacular outcome that proves legal firearms owners will work together and our advocacy is strong. Further to our membership responding so positively, relationships with SFF, Peak Bodies and allied industry organisations have been positively enhanced thanks to their support and engagement. We are encouraged by the responses received to date across the political divide and we look forward to updating you of further successes of the campaign, including ensuring legal firearms owners are not criminalised. Thank you to all legal firearms owners, especially our members who drove the signatures for the success of the ePetition. Your support guaranteed that the Bill would be debated in Parliament. Putting my name to that ePetition required a thoughtful moment but, the Board, the management and myself are gratified and proud of your engagement and support. The campaign was called "STRONGER TOGETHER" and the proof is the result. Thank you, Lance