[Greens-Media] Greens call on PM to reduce handgun abuse

[Bennett, Ebony (Sen B. Brown)]

Wednesday, 10 May 2006

Greens call on PM to reduce handgun abuse

Following the shooting of Tasmanian police Sergeant Les Cooper
yesterday, Greens leader Bob Brown has called on the Howard government
to urgently review rapid-fire automatic handgun use and abuse in
Australia, including thousands of thefts which have occurred in recent
years.

In the Senate, Senator Brown asked the Minister for Justice, Senator
Ellison, how many semi-automatic handguns there are in Australia and
what purposes, besides security and a very limited number of sporting
uses, legitimised the licence or import of these weapons.

Senator Brown called on the Howard government to take action to halt the
widespread availability and theft of semi-automatic handguns for illegal
purposes.

Further information: Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603


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Ebony Bennett
Media Adviser
Office of Greens Senator Bob Brown
Mobile: 0409 164 603
Ph: (02) 6277 3170
Fax: (02) 6277 3185
ebony.bennett at aph.gov.au