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Geezah
02-22-2006, 10:49 AM
THE number of legal guns in NSW has surged 25 per cent in just three years amid claims the State Government is secretly retreating from the Port Arthur firearms reforms.

Registered guns now outnumber people in many rural areas of the state, new figures show, as the total weapons stockpile on the NSW Firearms Registry reached 650,185.

A The Daily Telegraph investigation on the eve of the 10th anniversary of the Port Arthur massacre shows the number of legal firearms in the state grew 133,717 since 2002.

A confidential NSW Police document showing the geographic distribution of legal guns, obtained under Freedom of Information laws, shows that even Sydney suburbs have high numbers of registered weapons.

Postcodes cross-referenced with Census data show Beverly Hills, Chester Hill, Camden and Hoxton Park, Glenorie and Dural are home to one legal gun for every 10 residents or less.

Terrey Hills, on Sydney's Northern Beaches, has the highest ratio of guns to people in the metropolitan area with one registered gun for every 2.61 people.

Even trendy Balmain and Birchgrove are home to 1358 guns – one firearm for every 10.2 residents.

NSW Police said NSW had the lowest percentage of adult licence holders in Australia at 3.5 per cent.

Coalition for Gun Control spokeswoman Samantha Lee said more guns – legal or illegal – posed serious risks.

Ms Lees said there was a "clear correlation" between the number of guns and deaths, including from suicide and domestic violence.

"The more guns available, the more likely one will be used to kill," she said.

Ms Lee also claimed the Iemma Government was gradually retreating from its tough gun laws and even courting the gun lobby.

She said a trial of hunting in four state forests, expected to be expanded to further public land next month, was a clear favour to shooters.

Draft changes to the Firearms Act 1996 contain further concerns. One clause allows the minimum hunting or shooting club size to be reduced from 10 to five active members. Club membership is required for some licences.

Another change is the removal of a three-month limit for a new club member who has applied for a licence to use a gun – now there will be an unlimited time.

Ms Lee said $3.3 million had been granted for new facilities at sporting clubs at Port Macquarie, Cessnock, Emmaville, Dharawal, Hilltop, Bodalla, Kempsey, Mudgee and Hornsby.

"We will probably see more golden chips handed to shooters as we get nearer the state election," she said.

A spokesman for Premier Morris Iemma denied there was any softening. He said no final decision had been made on changes to the Firearms Act regulations.

"These proposals are subject to public consultation. If there is justified, widespread concern then aspects may need to be revisited," the spokesman said.

He said the state had a record of implementing some of the toughest anti-gun laws in Australia.

Sporting Shooters Association of Australia NSW executive director Roy Smith attributed the growth in legal gun numbers to people realising they must register unused firearms or family heirloom guns.

Legal guns in your community

Postcode, total firearms, major locations in postcode

2000, 1579 Sydney City

2001, 10 Sydney GPO

2007, 288 Ultimo

2008, 36 Chippendale

2009, 98 Pyrmont

2010, 186 Darlinghurst, Surry Hills

2011, 166 Kings Cross, Elizabeth Bay

2015, 1304 Alexandria

2016, 74, Redfern

2017, 41 Waterloo

2018, 3278 Eastlakes

2019, 364 Botany

2020, 258 Mascot

2021, 270 Paddington, Centennial Park

2022, 198 Bondi Junction

2023, 296 Bellevue Hill

2024, 162 Waverley

2025, 103 Woollahra

2026, 265, Bondi

2027, 239 Edgecliff

2028, 132 Double Bay

2029, 175 Rose Bay

2030, 375 Vaucluse

2031, 656 Randwick

2032, 231 Kingsford

2033, 172 Kensington

2034, 257 Coogee

2035, 1098 Maroubra

2036, 1047 La Peruse, Matraville

2037, 111 Glebe

2038, 173 Annandale

2039, 144 Rozelle

2040, 479 Leichhardt

2041, 1358 Balmain

2042, 1062 Newtown

2043, 180 Erskineville

2044, 618, St Peters, Tempe

2045, 305, Haberfield

2046, 658, Abbotsford, Five Dock

2047, 365, Drummoyne

2048, 182, Stanmore, Westgate

2049, 171, Lewisham, Petersham

2050, 18, Camperdown,

2060, 373North Sydney, Waverton

2061, 51, Kirribilli, Milsons Point

2062, 122, Cammeray

2063, 210, Northbridge

2064, 148, Artarmon

2065, 359, Crows Nest, St Leonards

2066, 619, Lane Cove

2068, 300, Castlecrag, Willoughby

2069, 307, Castle Cove, Roseville,

2070, 450, Lindfield

2071, 316, Killara

2072, 114, Gordon

2073, 572, Pymble

2074, 1181, Turramurra, Warrawee

2075, 537, St Ives

2076, 689, Normanhurst, Wahroonga

2077, 1598, Hornsby, Waitara

2079, 349, Mt Colah

2080, 45, Mt Kuring-gai

2081, 147, Berowra, Cowan

2082, 222, Berowra Heights, Berowra Waters

2083, 149, Brooklyn, Dangar Island

2084, 1436, Duffys Forest, Terrey Hills

2085, 522, Belrose, Davidson

2086, 460, Frenchs Forest

2087, 472, Forestville, Killarney Heights

2088, 679, Mosman,

2089, 119, Neutral Bay,

2090, 457, Cremorne, Cremorne Point

2092, 259, Seaforth

2093, 436, Balgowlah, Clontarf,

2094, 117, Fairlight

2095, 187, Manly

2096, 256, Curl Curl, Harbord

2097, 479, Collaroy, Long Reef

2099, 1015, Dee Why

2100, 840, Brookvale

2101, 1117, Elanora Heights, Narrabeen

2102, 108, Warriewood

2103, 380, Mona Vale

2104, 217, Bayview

2105, 69, Church Point, Scotland Island

2106, 314, Newport

2107, 544, Avalon, Bilgola

2108, 72, Palm Beach

2109, 3, No matches

2110, 379, Hunters Hill, Woolwich

2111, 477, Gladesville

2112, 772, Ryde

2113, 363, East Ryde, North Ryde

2114, 906, Denistone, West Ryde

2115, 442, Ermington

2116, 83, Rydalmere

2117, 475, Dundas, Telopea

2118, 797, Carlingford

2119, 431, Beecroft, Cheltenham

2120, 991, Pennant Hills,Westleigh

2121, 659, Epping

2122, 658, Eastwood, Marsfield

2125, 392, West Pennant Hills

2126, 489, Cherrybrook

2127, 17, Homebush Bay, Newington

2128, 57, Silverwater

2129, 2, Sydney Markets (PO Boxes)

2130, 123, Summer Hill

2131, 502, Ashfield

2132, 365, Croydon

2133, 258, Croydon Park

2134, 228, Burwood

2135, 453, Strathfield

2136, 249, Strathfield

2137, 618, Concord

2138, 346, Concord West, Rhodes

2140, 119, Homebush

2141, 368, Lidcombe,

2142, 489, Granville, Holroyd

2143, 145, Regents Park

2146, 517, Toongabbie

2147, 1754, Kings Langley, Seven Hills

2148, 1958, Blacktown, Prospect

2150, 267, Harris Park, Parramatta

2151, 682, North Rocks

2152, 292, Northmead

2153, 2429, Baulkham Hills, Winston Hills

2154, 1265, Castle Hill

2155, 1668, Kellyville, Rouse Hill

2156, 1159, Annangrove

2157, 512, Glenorie

2158, 824, Dural, Round Corner

2159, 549, Galston

2160, 881, Merrylands

2161, 867, Guildford, Yennora

2162, 1542, Chester Hill, Sefton

2163, 226, Villawood

2164, 1607, Smithfield

2165, 770, Fairfield

2166, 765, Cabramatta

2167, 239, Glenfield

2168, 915, Green Valley

2170, 3801, Liverpool

2171, 3478, Cecil Hills

2172, 12, Voyager Point

2173, 346, Holsworthy

2174, 29, Ingleburn

2175, 2983, Horsley Park

2176, 1444, Bossley Park

2177, 301, Bonnyrigg

2178, 73, Cecil Park

2179, 80, Austral,

2190, 659, Chullora

2191, 179, Belfield

2192, 939, Belmore

2193, 402, Canterbury

2194, 353, Campsie

2195, 654, Lakemba

2196, 939, Punchbowl

2197, 274, Bass Hill

2198, 447, Georges Hall

2199, 542, Yagoona

2200, 1622, Bankstown

2203, 198, Dulwich Hill

2204, 405, Marrickville

2205, 305, Arncliffe

2206, 680, Earlwood

2207, 1068, Bexley

2208, 465, Kingsgrove

2209, 1812, Beverly Hills

2210, 1760, Peakhurst

2211, 556, Padstow

2212, 467, Revesby

2213, 971, East Hills

2214, 213, Milperra

2216, 674, Rockdale

2217, 615, Kogarah

2218, 319, Carlton

2219, 644, Sans Souci

2220, 604, Hurstville

2221, 802, Blakehurst

2222, 261, Penshurst

2223, 937, Mortdale, Oatley

2224, 585, Sylvania

2225, 258, Oyster Bay

2226, 569, Jannali

2227, 476, Gymea

2228, 411, Miranda

2229, 847, Caringbah

2230, 884, Cronulla

2231, 202, Kurnell

2232, 1275, Sutherland

2233, 1492, Engadine

2234, 1223, Menai

2250, 4548, Gosford

2251, 1717, Avoca Beach

2253, 6, No matches

2256, 505, Woy Woy

2257, 1045, Umina Beach

2258, 412, Ourimbah

2259, 2576Wyong

2260, 557, Terrigal

2261, 1808, The Entrance

2262, 529, Doyalson

2263, 641, Toukley

2264, 1000, Morisett

2265, 444, Cooranbong

2267, 248, Wangi Wangi

2278, 333, Wakefield

2280, 1539, Belmont

2281, 875, Swansea

2282, 921, Warners Bay

2283, 1681, Toronto

2284, 617, Argenton

2285, 1777, Cardiff

2286, 473, West Wallsend

2287, 1946, Wallsend

2289, 708, Kotara

2290, 1506, Charlestown

2291, 436, Merewether,

2292, 412, Broadmeadow,

2293, 44, Wickham

2294, 21, Carrington

2295, 276, Stockton

2296, 23, Islington

2297, 14, No matches

2298, 371, Waratah

2299, 383, Jesmond

2300, 214, Newcastle

2303, 244, Hamilton

2304, 626, Mayfield

2305, 401, New Lambton

2306, 33, Windale

2307, 224, Shortland

2311, 482, Gresford

2312, 280, Nabiac

2314, 2, No matches

2315, 725, Nelson Bay

2316, 554, Anna Bay

2317, 283, Salamander Bay

2318, 1561, Williamtown

2319, 439, Lemon Tree Passage

2320, 2484, Maitland

2321, 1716, Morpeth

2322, 1829, Hexham

2323, 1930, Metford

2324, 1912, Karuah

2325, 4689, Cessnock

2326, 873, Abermain

2327, 701, Kurri Kurri

2328, 832, Denman

2329, 1180, Merriwa

2330, 4348, Singleton

2333, 2834, Muswellbrook

2334, 362, Greta

2335, 1369, Branxton

2336, 848, Aberdeen

2337, 2630, Scone

2338, 704, Murrurundi

2339, 538, Willow Tree

2340, 9189, Tamworth

2341, 297, Werris Creek

2342, 279, Piallaway

2343, 2081, Wallabadah

2344, 719, Winton

2345, 368, Attunga

2346, 1428, Manilla

2347, 1160, Barraba

2350, 4843, Armidale

2351, 3, No matches

2352, 1057, Mulla Creek

2353, 860, Moonbi

2354, 2632, Kentucky

2355, 492, Bendemeer

2356, 45, Gwabegar

2357, 2086, Coonabarabran

2358, 2323, Salisbury Plains

2359, 571, Bundarra

2360, 4649, Inverell

2361, 670, Limestone

2365, 2501, Glen Nevis

2369, 294, Old Mill

2370, 2982, Glen Innes

2371, 702, Rocky Creek

2372, 2112, Sandy Flat

2379, 292, Goolhi

2380, 2827, Gunnedah

2381, 694, Tambar Springs

2382, 844, Boggabri

2386, 410, Burren Junction

2387, 204, Rowena

2388, 1324, Wee Waa

2390, 3117, Narrabri

2395, 376, Binnaway

2396, 483, Kenebri

2397, 365, Bellata

2398, 309, Gurley

2399, 352, Biniguy

2400, 3073, Moree

2401, 255, Gravesend

2402, 943, Coolatai

2403, 492, Delungra

2404, 960, Bingara

2405, 438, Boomi

2406, 396, Mungindi

2407, 4, No matches

2408, 308, Mangle

2409, 345, Boggabilla

2410, 197, Yetman

2411, 44, Croppa Creek

2415, 139, Nooroo

2420, 991, Dungog

2421, 474, Tocal

2422, 1924, Gloucester

2423, 626, Bulahdelah

2424, 216, Caffreys Flat

2425, 537, Booral

2426, 96, Langley Vale

2427, 237, Crowdy Head

2428, 1397, Forster

2429, 2118, Comboyne

2430, 3156, Taree

2431, 517, South West Rocks

2439, 389, Lorne

2440, 3810, Kempsey

2441, 1333, Telegraph Point

2443, 968, Lakewood

2444, 2827, Port Macquarie

2445, 576, Lake Cathie

2446, 2384, Wauchope

2447, 1340 Macksville

2448, 462 Nambucca Heads

2449, 626 Bowraville

2450, 3581 Coffs Harbour

2452, 609, Sawtell

2453, 896, Dorrigo

2454, 870, Bellingen

2455, 470, Urunga

2456, 833, Woolgoolga

2460, 4994, Grafton

2462, 644, Wooli

2463, 876, Maclean

2464, 322, Yamba

2465, 70, Harwood

2466, 216, Iluka

2469, 1217, Bonalbo

2470, 2866, Casino

2472, 286, Woodburn

2473, 159, Evans Head

2474, 1298, Kyogle

2475, 251, Tooloom

2476, 286, Woodenbong

2477, 1376, Alstonville

2478, 939, Ballina

2479, 456, Bangalow

2480, 4193, Lismore

2481, 274, Byron Bay

2482, 418, Mullumbimby

2483, 515, Brunswick Heads

2484, 2308, Murwillumbah

2485, 267, Tweed Heads

2486, 850, Banora Point

2487, 306, Kingscliff

2488, 110, Cabarita Beach

2489, 118, Hastings Point

2490, 71, Cootamundra

2492, 2, No matches

2500, 1391, Wollongong

2502, 691, Warrawong

2505, 243, Port Kembla

2506, 300, Berkeley

2508, 441, Helensburgh

2515, 487, Thirroul

2516, 302, Bulli

2517, 539, Woonona

2518, 919, Corrimal

2519, 1079, Balgownie

2525, 669, Figtree

2526, 1168, Unanderra

2527, 134, Albion Park

2528, 1148, Warilla

2529, 1073, Shellharbour

2530, 1786, Dapto

2533, 1105, Kiama

2534, 293, Gerroa

2535, 750, Berry

2536, 1568, Batemans Bay

2537, 1504, Moruya

2538, 561, Milton

2539, 1574, Mollymook

2540, 4016, Jervis Bay

2541, 2411, Nowra

2545, 234, Eurobodalla

2546, 1426, Narooma

2547, 2, No matches

2548, 342 Merimbula

2549, 587, Pambula

2550, 3616, Bega

2551, 536, Eden

2556, 92, Bringelly

2557, 97, Rossmore

2558, 276, Kearns

2559, 13, Claymore

2560, 2286, Campbelltown

2563, 13, Menangle Park

2564, 371, Macquarie Fields

2565, 985, Ingleburn

2566, 707, Minto

2567, 1124, Narellan

2568, 128, Menangle

2569, 220, Douglas Park

2570, 3142, Camden

2571, 1166, Picton

2572, 481, Thirlmere

2573, 487, Tahmoor

2574, 536, Bargo

2575, 1808, Mittagong

2576, 792, Bowral

2577, 11,868, Berrima

2578, 319, Bundanoon

2579, 894, Marulan

2580, 7141, Goulburn

2581, 1085, Collector

2582, 3325, Yass

2583, 2512, Crookwell

2584, 426, Binalong

2585, 175, Galong

2586, 1232, Boorowra

2587, 977, Harden

2588, 216, Cullinga

2590, 1930, Cootamundra

2594, 2585, Young

2600, 3, Canberra (ACT)

2602, 8, Downer (ACT)

2603, 10, Manuka (ACT)

2604, 6, Kingston (ACT)

2607, 1, Mawson (ACT)

2609, 3, Fyshwick (ACT)

2611, 54, Weston Creek (ACT)

2612, 11, Braddon (ACT)

2615, 1, Holt (ACT)

2616, 2, Belconnen PO (ACT)

2617, 10, Belconnen (ACT)

2618, 209, Hall (ACT)

2619, 451, Jerrabomberra

2620, 3934, Queanbeyan

2621, 1257, Bungendore

2622, 1640, Braidwood

2623, 251, Captains Flat

2624, 3, Perisher Valley

2625, 10, Thredbo

2626, 229, Bredbo

2627, 757, Jindabyne

2628, 950, Dalgety

2629, 18, Adaminaby

2630, 4071, Cooma

2631, 496, Holts Flat

2632, 1061, Bombala

2633, 240, Corrowong

2640, 4981, Albury

2641, 1959, Lavington

2642, 2256, Khancoban

2643, 527, Howlong

2644, 907, Holbrook

2645, 195, Urana

2646, 1961, Corowa

2647, 537, Mulwala

2648, 1758, Wentworth

2649, 8, Laurel Hill

2650, 7654, Wagga

2651, 224, Forest Hill

2652, 2452, Boree Creek

2653, 1027, Tumbarumba

2655, 585, The Rock

2656, 508, Lockhard

2658, 602, Henty

2659, 412, Walla Walla

2660, 567, Culcairn

2661, 7, No matches

2663, 989, Junee

2665, 1395, Ardlethan

2666, 1499, Temora

2668, 253, Barmedman

2669, 1272, Ungarie

2671, 1461, West Wyalong

2672, 702, Lake Cargelligo

2675, 798, Hillston

2680, 4418, Griffith

2681, 628, Myal Park

2700, 1550, Narrandera

2701, 738, Coolamon

2702, 209, Ganmain

2703, 183, Yanco

2705, 2228, Leeton

2706, 248, Darlington Point

2707, 782, Coleambally

2710, 4309, Deniliquin

2711, 2140, Hay

2712, 532, Berrigan

2713, 839, Finley

2714, 562, Tocumwal

2715, 840, Balranald

2716, 623, Jerilderie

2717, 474, Dareton

2720, 1857, Tumut

2721, 243, Bland

2722, 1211, Gundagai

2725, 176, Stockingbingal

2726, 205, Jugiong

2727, 253, Coolac

2729, 922, Adelong

2730, 556, Batlow

2731, 1397, Moama

2732, 1126, Barham

2733, 502, Dhuragoon

2734, 239, Coobool

2735, 94, Koraleigh

2736, 139, Goodnight

2737, 208, Euston

2738, 516, Monak

2739, 322, Beronga

2745, 1710, Wallacia

2747, 1732, Cambridge Park

2748, 2749, Orchard Hills

2750, 2424, Penrith

2752, 550, Silverdale

2753, 1826, Richmond

2754, 695, North Richmond

2755, 16, No matches

2756, 4137, Windsor

2757, 103, Kurmond

2758, 2052, Kurrajong

2759, 1140, St Clair

2760, 2010, St Marys

2761, 592, Plumpton

2762, 339, Schofields

2763, 680, Quakers Hill

2765, 2577, Riverstone

2766, 398, Rooty Hill

2767, 388, Doonside

2768, 372, Parklea

2770, 1593, Mt Druitt

2773, 338, Glenbrook

2774, 669, Blaxland

2775, 324, Wisemans Ferry

2776, 645, Faulconbridge

2777, 692, Springwood

2778, 128, Woodford

2779, 358, Hazelbrook

2780, 641, Katoomba

2782, 326, Wentworth Falls

2783, 123, Lawson

2784, 66, Bullaburra

2785, 393, Blackheath

2786, 110, Mt Victoria

2787, 2204, Oberon

2790, 8652, Lithgow

2791, 148, Carcoar

2792, 178, Mandurama

2793, 553, Mt Macdonald

2794, 2936, Cowra

Link (http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story/0,20281,18202667-5001021,00.html)

So a legally held registered firearm poses as much of a threat as a unregistered illegally held firearm, just how does that work, or is she saying that all firearms are dangerous........period?!
Once again we see one of these clueless antis viewing firearms as the threat here rather than those that choose to break the law!

Asheren
02-22-2006, 12:40 PM
Coalition for Gun Control spokeswoman Samantha Lee said more guns – legal or illegal – posed serious risks.

Ms Lees said there was a "clear correlation" between the number of guns and deaths, including from suicide and domestic violence.

"The more guns available, the more likely one will be used to kill," she said.

I guess someone shoud tell her that ppl don't need firearms to kill other peoples or commit crimes. Especialy they don't need registred guns to do that. That part about clubs and hunting was a dumbest anti gun argument i ever heard.

catalyst
02-22-2006, 01:01 PM
Gun clubs and a firearm organisation are great ways to promote responsible gun ownership. I support the govt. in its buy back and my family handed over weapons we had (and made a profit! hehehe). But gun ownership outside of organised sport, agriculture and LEO/Defence is un-needed.

Get off the American amendment crap and realise that this is Australia.

Geezah
02-22-2006, 02:23 PM
Gun clubs and a firearm organisation are great ways to promote responsible gun ownership. I support the govt. in its buy back and my family handed over weapons we had (and made a profit! hehehe). But gun ownership outside of organised sport, agriculture and LEO/Defence is un-needed.

Un-needed or un-wanted, which is it?



Get off the American amendment crap and realise that this is Australia.

An Australia that seems to enjoy legal firearm ownership, by the looks of the growing number of firearms that are legally owned and registered!