Gun Control and Public Safety

To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House, in Parliament assembled. The Petition of the undersigned Citizens of Tasmania: Draws to the attention of the House that the Adler six shot lever action shot gun presents a serious risk to the safety of the community and is readily available in Tasmania to almost any shooter. It is rapidly reloaded and as dangerous as a pump action shotgun. If an individual entered a space and fired six rounds at close quarters the outcome would be catastrophic. There would be no opportunity for defence until all rounds in the shotgun had been fired. Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to: (1) amend the Firearms Act 1996 so that shotguns that can be rapidly reloaded are only available to people with a restricted licence, commensurate with a demonstrated need; and (2) specifically recognise the importance of public safety and to acknowledge the danger posed by these weapons.