The Report May Editorial

For the shooting sports to continue in this country, thoughtful, reasonable, and fact-based legislation must be put in place. 

Recently, we have seen several states panic and rush through thoughtless laws that haven’t really made sense. If your legislation is aimed at an imaginary ‘belt-fed shotgun,’ you’re probably lining up the wrong target. Through our organisation, the Australian Shooters Alliance, we attended a meeting with the federal government early in the year to discuss the then-potential firearm import law changes. When we questioned some of the points, we were answered with: “We are not firearm experts.” You can’t make this stuff up. 

Fortunately for Queensland, we have avoided the worst of it and, as stated by the Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie, the Crisafulli LNP Government’s response to the tragic Bondi terror attack delivered nation-leading reform to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and terrorists and make Queensland safer. 

While some parts of the legislation place more burden on law-abiding firearm owners, the bulk of the changes increase punishments on those who do the wrong thing.  

“Importantly, the government also recognises the importance of firearm use for livelihoods, which is why we ensured there are appropriate exemptions to the Citizenship test for competition sporting shooters, and those that require firearms for occupational purposes,” the Minister said. 

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank SSAA Queensland for their insights and contribution to the committee process as we continue to strive to make Queensland safer,” the minister said.  

We are grateful to be living in the most progressive state in the country and happy to say we continue to be ‘open for business’ to the shooting sports. 

Jeff Ross 
President, SSAA Queensland