SALE OF FIREARMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 21068, 30 December 1931, Page 12

SALE OF FIREARMS.

AMENDING VICTORIAN LAW. ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS. Although action is being taken, on the recommendation of the chief commissioner of police in Victoria, Major-General Blarney, to restrict the sale of pistols and ammunition in that. State, tho Premier, Mr. Hogan, says he intends to go further and to seek uniform action by all Stato Governments, involving, probably, prohibition of the sale of pistols. Commenting on a suggestion that, the necessity for restricting the sale and use of pistols should be discussed at the next Premiers' Conference, Mr. Hogan tairl . "Quicker action than that is necessary. The possession and carrying of pistols, except by tho police, the defence authorities, and some other persons such as bankofficials, should be prohibited absolutely, but this will not be achieved until the States co-operate." Mr. Hogan added that hf> intended to communicate immediately with the authorities in the other States, Amendments to strengthen the firearms law in Victoria, have been drafted the Crown Law Department. The Chief Secretary, Mr. Tunnecliffe, says he expects that they will be submitted to Parliament. in a short measure before, the present session ends. Mr. Tunnecliffe said that, one of the most, important amendments would include in tho definition of <t pistol any weapon that could bo concealed about the person. Many criminals had evaded the present law by cariying sawn-off guns, which were not classed as pistols unless they were less than nino inches in length. Applicants for licences to possess or carry pistols would be required to givo much stronger reasons than had been accepted in the past, and the police would have to be satisfied that tho applicant needed the pistol because of his business or occupation, and that possession of it would not endanger tho community. "Although a doalcr may not sell a pistol to any person who has not obtained permission from the police, this clause has often been evaded," Mr. Tunnecliffo added. "Applicants have obtainod pistols merely by saying that they were residents of another State. This weakness in the law will bo removed, and there will bo other restrictions on tho sale of pistols by licensed dealers. Only persons entitled to possess pistols will lie able to buy ammunition, and the police will be empowered to mark all pistols for identification." The new bill will also make it. an offence for any person to take a pistol into Victoria without a permit, or to sell a pistol privately without notifying tho police.