SSAA NSW

4 Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (NSW) Inc. From Diana's Desk Sensible firearms laws need genuine consultation... The last 12 months or so have been incredibly busy with focus on various reviews of firearms laws and policy. First, we had the review of the National Firearms Agreement, then the quick introduction and passing of the Firearms and Weapons Legislation Amendment Bill 2017, and most recently the whirlwind review of the draft NSW Firearms Regulation and Prohibited Weapons Regulation. No matter the subject, what has become glaringly apparent is the lack of genuine consultation with those most affected by these reviews – the law-abiding licensed firearms owners. Consultation on the NFA review has been described as disingenuous by SSAA National; the Amendment Bill was introduced and passed within a matter of weeks. Most recently, consultation on the draft Firearms and Prohibited Weapons Regulations was rushed without the provision of a reasonable period for stakeholders to provide considered and meaningful input. Despite this being discussed for over 12 months, with full awareness of the 1 September deadline, the documents were released on 7 July with comment due by 31 July; allowing little more than three weeks to provide a response. This directly conflicts with the Government's own guidelines – its NSW Guide to Better Regulation states the minimum consultation period is 28 days. Nonetheless, SSAA NSW worked tirelessly to develop a submission in response to the draft Regulations. You'll find a summary of the issues we raised on pages 2 and 6, and you can access the complete submission from the SSAA NSW website. Thank you to those members and Branches that took the time to respond to our call for input and provide comment; it enabled us to ensure we included issues important to all. Following circulation, we received very positive feedback from members and Branches in response to our submission. SSAA NSW is pushing for the establishment of a formal mechanism that ensures genuine consultation at the decision-making level, has representation from all affected stakeholders and is prescribed in legislation. The only way to achieve sensible firearms laws that are based on facts and data rather than emotion and hype, that address the issue of illegal firearms and gun crime rather than placing further burden on law-abiding firearms owners, is to involve those most affected by them in the development and review process. Making our voice heard… SSAA NSW wrote to all NSW politicians, except those openly opposed to our activities and our Association, to outline our concerns with the NFA review and the illogical re-categorisation of lever action shotguns as well as flag issues that needed attention in the Regulation review. We included a copy of the joint NFA submission that we were a party to, as well as copies of the June edition of the NSW Shooter and brochures on our conservation activities and the Farmer Assist program. We've used our recent meetings with politicians to put forward concerns and suggested solutions using reasoned and fact-based dialogue. To date we've met with multiple MPs from the Liberal, National and Labor parties, including the Shadow Minister for Justice and Police, as well as Christian Democrats and independent MPs; and we have more meetings planned. Following receipt of a request from Police Minister Troy Grant, we'll be meeting with him in mid-August, and also with Phil Donato from the Shooters, Fishers & Farmers Party. It's been refreshing to see that we are being given a fair hearing, with some even acknowledging the credibility and professionalism of SSAA NSW. As always, we will continue to lobby for a fair go for law- abiding licensed firearms owners and make sure that the focus is clearly on the real issue; illegal firearms and the criminals that use them. It's important that members also make contact with their local MPs, whether that be by letter, email or through meetings, to put forward their concerns and viewpoint regarding firearms laws and the need for a fair and reasonable approach to law-abiding firearms owners, who participate in a legitimate sport and are a significant part of the voting constituency.

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