Pearce intervenes on gun law issue

UPDATE

Primary Industries Minister Gavin Pearce has intervened directly on the gun law issue, posting to his Facebook page last night that "99 per cent of Canberra" doesn't know what it means to be a responsible firearm owner", and "don't get it."

"I've spent my whole life around guns", Mr Pearce said.

"On the farm. In the Army.

"I know what it means to be a responsible firearm owner.

"I can tell you now that 99% of Canberra doesn't.

"They don't get it.

"And that's why their firearm changes cannot be rushed through.

"We need to bring some common sense to the table.

"And should be prioritising getting firearms out of the hands of criminals and those that wish to do harm.

"Not law-abiding, common-sense Australians."

The Federal Parliament will today vote of a proposal to tighten gun laws further in response to Bondi, and establish a new gun buy-back.

EARLIER:

New polling indicates that the majority of Tasmanians support stronger gun laws in the wake of the Bondi attacks.

A poll by EMRS has found that 50 per cent of Tasmanians “strongly support” tighter gun laws and the proposed firearms buyback, with a further 19 per cent “somewhat” supportive, for a total of 69 per cent in favour of gun reforms.

Around 13 per cent of the 752 Tasmanians polled “strongly” opposed the changes, with around 10 per cent “somewhat” opposed.

EMRS Director Brad Stansfield said support for the changes was softer in the more rural electorates of Braddon and Lyons, but still reached 60 per cent.

“In many respects these results are unsurprising – instinctively, the majority of Tasmanians have a leaning towards tighter gun control, particularly after Port Arthur”, EMRS Director, Brad Stansfield, said.

“That being said, the results in Braddon and Lyons do show the existence of a relatively significant minority opposed to the changes in particular demographics.

“Both the State and Federal Governments would do well to reassure these people, in both action and words, that they aren’t being unfairly targeted by these changes.”

Federal Parliament is set to vote on establishing a gun-buyback scheme by the end of tomorrow.