The issue

The Justice Legislation (Police and Other Matters) Bill 2018 seeks to make a number of changes to our firearms legislation including re-categorising lever action shotguns (the ‘Adler’ changes).
The full Bill can be viewed at the legislation.vic.gov.au website.

SSAA Victoria, Field & Game Australia and the Australian Deer Association oppose the re- categorisation of lever action shotguns on the basis that there has not been a sound, evidence-based case made for any change.

Regardless of what shooters may or may not think about the Adler shotgun, there is a broader principle at stake here: if we say nothing while this illogical, politically driven change goes through, we simply make the job our opponents easier.

Each of our organisations has made a submission to Parliament expressing our opposition, but adding your voice will give it strength. You can view our submission here.

We are asking hunters and shooters to take five minutes to contact their local MPs and let them know that:

• - You oppose the re-categorisation of lever action shotguns on the basis that there has not been an evidence-based case made for change.
• - The proposed changes just make life harder for law abiding shooters with no public safety benefit.
• - The Federal Government has also stated that the NFA is an agreement in principle only and is not binding, therefore it is up to every state to decide whether they want to legislate any of it.

 
What you can do

Hunters need to remind politicians that hunting is an important economic, social and cultural activity in Victoria and that the authority overseeing hunting should be given a similar scope as the authority overseeing recreational fishing.

If you live in Victoria you should write to your local State members of Parliament (Upper and Lower House – six in total) and remind them, in your own words, that:

• You oppose the re-categorisation of lever action shotguns on the basis that there has not been an evidence-based case made for change.
• The proposed changes just make life harder for law abiding shooters with no public safety benefit.
• The Federal Government has also stated that the NFA is an agreement in principle only and is not binding, therefore it is up to every state to decide whether they want to legislate any of it.

Please focus particularly on Opposition and Crossbench MPs (Liberal, National, minor party and independent).

Remember to be polite and respectful – we are asking our elected officials to help us and to make sure that hunters are treated fairly.

To find the contact details for your local MP, visit https://parliament.vic.gov.au/findelectorate/ and enter your postcode.