[Greens-Media] Murder-suicide: a legacy for tighter gun laws?

[Kristian Bolwell]

MEDIA RELEASE
1 April  2005


Murder-suicide: a legacy for tighter gun laws?

Greens MP & justice spokesperson Lee Rhiannon expects that the NSW
Parliament will consider far reaching gun law reform as part of a broad
terms of reference for the Legislative Council Inquiry into the recent
deaths of a Hunter valley family in a likely murder-suicide. 

"The latest figures from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics show that
in 2003, 23 murders involved the use of a firearm in NSW and 25
attempted murders used a firearm in the same period," Ms Rhiannon
said.  

"As these tragic events show, the community needs to be sure we are
doing all we can to restrict gun ownership and access.

"I hope this Inquiry will receive unanimous support from all MP's. 
This is not about shaming anyone but rather learning how to make our
communities safer.

"To save lives, the trade, transfer and use of firearms must be
highly restricted", Ms Rhiannon said. 


More information:  Kristian Bolwell, 9230 3551, 0411638320