Victoria Government Rejects Proposed Gun Ownership Cap Amid Safety Concerns
Police backed a limit of four guns per Victorian. Allan shot it down anyway
The Sydney Morning HeraldImage: The Sydney Morning Herald
The Victorian government has dismissed a proposal to limit gun ownership to four firearms per license holder, despite support from Victoria Police and community safety advocates. The decision follows a review prompted by a terrorist attack, raising concerns about public safety and political motivations.
- 01Victoria Police supported a cap of four firearms per license holder, citing safety benefits and reduced opportunities for theft.
- 02The Allan government accepted 15 recommendations from a gun ownership review but rejected the ownership cap.
- 03The proposed cap could have led to a 30% reduction in firearms in circulation, affecting fewer than 20% of license holders.
- 04Community leaders, including the Jewish Community Council, urged the government to fully implement the review's recommendations for enhanced safety.
- 05The rejection of the cap has been criticized as prioritizing political considerations over public safety.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The Victorian government, led by Premier Jacinta Allan, has rejected a proposal to limit gun ownership to four firearms per license holder, despite backing from Victoria Police and community organizations. This decision comes after a review by former police chief commissioner Ken Lay, which was initiated following a terrorist attack at a Jewish festival in Bondi. While the government accepted 15 recommendations from the review, including stricter licensing requirements and health assessments, it dismissed the ownership cap, arguing it was unnecessary. Critics, including the Jewish Community Council of Victoria, have expressed concerns that political motivations are overshadowing community safety needs. The proposed cap could have reduced the number of firearms in circulation by nearly 30%, impacting around 46,540 license holders. The Police Association Victoria supported the government's stance, while community advocates continue to call for stronger measures to ensure public safety.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The rejection of the gun ownership cap could lead to continued high levels of firearms in circulation, impacting community safety.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Reader Poll
Do you support a cap on the number of firearms a person can own?
Connecting to poll...
More about Victoria Police
Read the original article
Visit the source for the complete story.