Farmers and recreational shooters need not fear beefed-up gun laws - local MP
Police powers
Changes to Queensland’s gun laws by the State Government will not result in a limit to the amount of guns farmers and recreational shooters can own, Cook MP David Kempton says.
“If you are a farmer or recreational shooter holding a legitimate firearms licence in Queensland the new gun laws will not limit the number or class of licensed weapons you hold,” Mr Kempton stated yesterday.
“What the laws will do is crackdown on stealing, trafficking and unlicensed ownership of weapons with an emphasis on firearms used for purposes of terrorist acts.”
“Only Australian citizens will be able to apply for a licence and there will be a fit and proper person test.”
Mr Kempton’s social-media statement came in response to an announcement this week by Premier David Crisafulli about increased police powers and harsher penalties designed to “keep guns out of the hands of criminals and terrorists”.
The tougher new laws, expected to be introduced to State Parliament this week, strengthen police powers to target terrorists and criminals and include increased penalties for illegal guns, drive-by shootings at places of worship and making weapons on 3D-printers.
The Bill includes a new requirement for most weapons-licence holders to be Australian citizens; Increased penalties and stronger police powers to crack down on gun trafficking, and; Expanded police checks for gun licences, including any history of threatened violence or weapons-related offending.
Premier Crisafulli said the new legislation was about making Queensland safer.
“We said we would go after criminals and terrorists, and through this strong reform, we are delivering exactly what we promised,” Premier Crisafulli said.
“These laws are tough, targeted, and focused on criminals and terrorists as we work to make Queensland safer.”
