Monday, March 5, 2012

Groan ...

Just heard on the news headlines tonight "Following a haul of firearms in Perth's south, police have called for a review of firearms licensing legislation."

So I went looking for the story.  From today's news:

THIRTEEN firearms, including pump action shotguns and assault rifles, several thousands of rounds of ammunition, cash and drugs were found at a home in Perth's southern suburbs yesterday.

A search of the Port Kennedy home yesterday allegedly uncovered the cache of firearms, methylamphetamine, knives, ninja stars, batons, machetes, laser pointers and just under $18,000 in cash.

Some of the ammunition allegedly found in the home was scattered all over the house police say, some of it in children's bedrooms.

A replica AK-47 assault trifle and four different kinds of pistol ammunition were also allegedly found inside the home.

A 36-year-old man, a former security guard, has been charged over the haul and will face court later this month.

This morning, police laid bare the massive haul of weapons, cash and drugs allegedly seized from the home.

Detective Sergeant Chris Turner from the Peel District Crime Team said although the firearms were licensed and locked away when police found them yesterday, they were seized because of the large amount of unlicensed ammunition allegedly found at the home.

Det. Sgt. Turner said two young children were home at the time police searched the house.

“None of the ammunition, all bar a few boxes were secured, it was all just lying in various areas around the house,” Det. Sgt. Turner said.

“It is frightening that someone who lives in a residential area should have that many firearms.

“All the other weapons were all located in his bedroom. The machete and the baton were all just sitting next to his bed.”

Det. Sgt. Turner said inquiries were still ongoing as to how the man had allegedly obtained the weapons.

The 36-year-old man faces 23 charges, including possessing a controlled weapon, possessing a prohibited weapon, drug possession with intent to sell or supply and unlicensed ammunition possession.

He will appear in the Rockingham Magistrates Court on March 30.



Emphasis mine.


I have bolded the sections of this which are of the most interest to me.  Firstly, the firearms were all licensed and stored in accordance with the legislation (well I'm assuming that what is meant by "locked away").  However they were sieved because of the unlicensed ammunition.


Here you can not possess ammunition (or components of ammunition) unless you have a caliber of that firearm on your licence.


Secondly, and this is the bit that concerns me most is the "it is frightening that someone who lives in a residential area should have that many firearms"!!!!


Why?  What difference does it make if someone has two or two hundred firearms?


I'm certainly hoping that this doesn't prompt a review of firearms legislation as I'ld like to get a new one in the very near future.

8 comments:

Bob said...

That's why it's important to join gun rights organizations such as the US's NRA, and also why writing your legislators to make your opinion known is so vital.

And Vote! Don't vote for someone who doesn't support basic human rights of armed self-defense.

Sendarius said...

That person lives in a residential area!!!!!!!

Oh My God!!!!!!!

A RESIDENTIAL area - that's where people LIVE!!!!!

I have ammunition in .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .38 Super, and .38 Super Comp - four kinds of pistol ammunition, for TWO guns. Is that also a crime?

The police officer is an idiot, and the reporter is no better.

knirirr said...

There was a murder in the UK fairly recently where the perpetrator possessed six legally-held firearms; the press seemed very keen on asking why he needed "so many guns".

Old Windways said...

"The police officer is an idiot, and the reporter is no better."

THIS is the real problem, these people make up the majority, and their fear/ignorance makes them quick to clamp down on the freedoms of others.

You would think that going after the fellow for methyl-amphetamine related charges would be enough.

Tam said...

knirirr,

"There was a murder in the UK fairly recently where the perpetrator possessed six legally-held firearms; the press seemed very keen on asking why he needed "so many guns"."

Heh. I probably have that many of whose exact whereabouts I'm not completely certain at the moment. :o

WV: "gailien" and "ropeur". As in "Gailien was one of the finest ropeurs in Bonaparte's fleet."

Old NFO said...

Based on that, I'd be put UNDER the jail, just for the stuff I have in my Apt, not counting the stuff I have at home... And I KNOW I have ammo for guns I no longer have.

TOTWTYTR said...

Thirteen guns? That's all?

Not to tell you folks how to run your country, but a good revolution might help.

"When, in the course of human events..."

KurtP said...

Kinf of OT;

Here in America- black powder fire arms aren't regulated at all.
I can buy anything I want through the mail as long as it's for black powder- including revolvers and rifles.

I have jars of Black powder and lead balls waiting to be turned into smoke and noise.

...America is looking for good workers, and computer geeks...FWIW.