More reasons NOT to have registration

[PABuck_HNTR]

I could go on all day with reasons not to register guns as one member has questioned. Call it paranoid if you want to, but history shows otherwise.


Firearms inspected in statewide operation
Lisa Williams
Thursday, 5 February 2004

Australia

GLEN Innes police have commenced a full audit and inspection of firearms in the district with holders of class 'C' and 'H' (handguns) currently being visited by officers. The move is part of a state-wide police operation which is expected to result in police inspecting the premises of up to 6,000 firearm license holders in the state.
Police warn that holders of firearms licences who do not comply with storage and registration requirements will be prosecuted.
Senior Constable Brian Bowman of Glen Innes Police said he expected that inspections would be complete by mid-May.
"We have a pretty big task ahead of us, but it is something that we have to do and is a police force policy being carried out across the state,"� Senior Constable Bowman said.
"Our primary goal is to ensure safety of firearms in homes and businesses, rather than a purely regulatory exercise.
"The first inspections will be of the storage arrangements of holders of class 'C' and 'H' firearms licenses, followed by 'A' and 'B'.
"The inspections are expected to be finalised by mid-May, so we're working on a tight timetable.
"The inspections will be carried out at a mutually agreeable time between police and the license holder, however, it is a requirement of having a firearms license that police be permitted entry to inspect.
"If anyone has any doubts about the legality of their current storage arrangements, they can certainly make enquiries prior to the inspection with the local police or the Firearms Registry.
"The amended firearm laws have been in place for six years, so we expect license holders will be generally compliant.
"Inadequate facilities, or unregistered firearms, could incur a court appearance, loss of license and loss of firearms."�
The current operation by police has attracted the ire of the Member for New England Tony Windsor, who is questioning the motives of police entering homes to inspect firearms.
He has called for a 'please explain' from senior police as to the rights of entry to the family home.
"There is confusion within the community as to the rights of entry of police to the family home which needs to be explained by the police,"� Mr Windsor said.
"As the only member of the NSW Parliament to oppose the introduction of the NSW Firearms legislation in 1996, I am intrigued to know what interpretation the police are placing on the Act in terms of entry to private premises.
"After an examination of the Act and discussions with NSW Upper House MLC, John Tingle, it is my understanding that police should make an appointment with the licensed firearm owner if an inspection of storage facilities is requested.
"It is a breach of the Act if the licence holder is not present and another member of the family who is not a licence holder is requested to open a safe firearm storage facility."�
Mr Windsor said that concerns expressed at the time the Prime Minister, John Howard, pressured the states to implement national firearms legislation were being realised.
"People were concerned that the law would be used against law abiding citizens rather than those who were using firearms for criminal intent,"� Mr Windsor said.
"The entry to private homes when there has been no breach of the law or any criminal intent seems to vindicate those concerns.
"Surely Police time could be better spent apprehending those who are using firearms violently against others rather than waltzing around the region with a list of legitimate law abiding registered firearm owners doing so called random inspections."�

[PABuck_HNTR]

"The inspections will be carried out at a mutually agreeable time between police and the license holder, however, it is a requirement of having a firearms license that police be permitted entry to inspect

I like this one, hmmm sound like something they want to do in the U.S.?

[strut]

Just say NO to any new gun laws.

What makes me sicker than the self identified anti-gunner is a gun-owner that votes for these people then stand and say they vote for pro-gun people only.