Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN News

Rights Torn Asunder Down Under

Monday, April 6, 2020

Rights Torn Asunder Down Under

It's not just would-be authoritarian governors and local officials here in the U.S. that are using the COVID-19 crisis to attack the natural right to armed self-defense. Aspiring tyrants the world over are using the ongoing pandemic as an excuse to advance their preexisting gun control agendas. In at least three Australian states, government officials have used the emergency to close gun stores, leaving residents unable to acquire firearms and ammunition.

Just as in the U.S., uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 crisis has led Australians to purchase firearms and ammunition. Victoria Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Lisa Neville​ told 9 News Melbourne on March 30 that "in the last couple of weeks" applications for permits to acquire firearms in Victoria had more than doubled. Neville went on to state that ammunition sales had also almost doubled and that this was a trend seen across Australia. Gun store owners have reported that they are concerned that they will run out of ammunition and be unable to replenish their supply from overseas.

In Victoria, this increased interest in the right to keep and bear arms proved too much for the government to tolerate. On March 31, the Victoria government issued a media release that announced a ban on the sale of all firearms and ammunition in the state. In the media release and Neville's interview with 9 News, the Victoria government made clear that the move is not intended to control the spread of COVID-19, but to ensure Australians aren't able to exercise their rights during this crisis.

In the release, the government claimed to be concerned that firearms and ammunition purchased during the outbreak "may not be stored safely." Elaborating, the release stated,

To prevent potential stockpiling, and the risk that firearms and ammunition could fall into criminal hands or dealers could be targeted by organized crime, licensed dealers will now be prohibited from selling firearms and ammunition for sporting or recreational purposes for the duration of the coronavirus outbreak.

In an Orwellian turn, Victoria government officials further claimed that "The new measures are designed to protect licensed firearm owners and dealers​..."

Firearms dealers didn't appreciate the government's purported help. A spokesperson for Australia's National Shooting Council told Melbourne newspaper The Age, "The result of this decision could drive many dealers, smaller ones in particular, out of business.​" Oakleigh gun dealer Mario Mori reiterated this point, telling the paper, "It's my living … if I can't work and make money I can't pay bills. I won't survive this, I will close​."

Victoria's move has prompted the National Shooting Council to organize a lawsuit against the state.

A similar story has played out in Queensland and Western Australia. In both states, the governments have required "non-essential" businesses to close and categorized firearms and ammunition retailers as "non-essential.”

After an outcry from those who rely on firearms for their livelihood, the Sporting Shooters' Association of Australia was able to help work some exceptions into the Queensland directive. At present, Queensland and Western Australia will allow gun stores to sell to primary producers and others who work in industries that require firearms as part of their employment. Average gun owners will still be unable to purchase firearms and ammunition.

In response to the Victoria ban, Sporting Shooters' Association of Australia Victoria CEO Jack Wegman said of the restrictions "What is the message? That law-abiding people who follow a legitimate process, a police-approved process, are not to be trusted?​"​

Of course that is the message. During this crisis, anti-gun politicians have revealed that they do not want law-abiding citizens to have access to firearms, no matter how rigorous the controls.

Consider the gun controls already in place in Victoria.

Prospective firearm owners are required to obtain a firearm license. The onerous process requires fingerprinting, the completion of a firearm safety course, and the applicant provide a "genuine reason" for owning a firearm. Personal protection is not to be considered a "genuine reason." There is a 28-day waiting period between the submittal of a license application and when the applicant may first acquire a firearm. Such a license is also required to purchase ammunition. 

In order to purchase a firearm in Victoria, a person must obtain a permit to acquire in addition to a firearm license. The Victoria state website makes clear "When submitting a Permit to Acquire you may be required to provide additional information to substantiate a genuine need..."

Firearms must be stored under strict conditions and firearms licensees are subject to firearm storage inspections.

The Victoria government's attack on firearm owners who have complied with these onerous regulations has exposed these public officials as firearm prohibitionists.

It is unfortunate that Australians do not have a Second Amendment to help curtail the worst abuses of government during this moment of crisis. However, it is important for Americans to remember that the Second Amendment protects a pre-existing natural right to armed self-defense that is inherent to all peoples, including Australians. Governments in certain parts of the world may not respect this right, but they cannot extinguish it.

NRA will continue to monitor and oppose opportunistic government abuses during the COVID-19 crisis and keep our members apprised of the latest developments.

IN THIS ARTICLE
Australia Covid-19 Gun Shops
TRENDING NOW
Federal Legislation Introduced to Ban “Gas Operated Semiautomatic” Firearms

Friday, December 1, 2023

Federal Legislation Introduced to Ban “Gas Operated Semiautomatic” Firearms

Joe Biden has long insisted he would ban what he calls “assault weapons” and has enlisted a motley succession of extreme anti-gun legislators to aid in that effort. Now, Senators Angus King (IND-ME) and Martin ...

NBC Poll: Majority of Voter Households Own Firearms

News  

Monday, December 4, 2023

NBC Poll: Majority of Voter Households Own Firearms

The last few weeks haven’t been kind to gun grabbers - and we’re not just talking about President Joe Biden’s woeful poll numbers. Black Friday is typically the largest day of the year for gun sales. This year, gun buyers set ...

Crime in “America’s largest outdoor shooting range” – Lies, damned lies, and statistics

News  

Monday, December 4, 2023

Crime in “America’s largest outdoor shooting range” – Lies, damned lies, and statistics

In a press conference late last month, Chicago’s progressive new mayor, Brandon Johnson, shifted the blame for the crime epidemic and migrant crisis plaguing his city on his predecessor, Lori Lightfoot (another Democrat), and on “right-wing extremism.”

Virginia: Omnibus Gun Control Bills Filed Ahead of the 2024 Legislative Session

Thursday, November 30, 2023

Virginia: Omnibus Gun Control Bills Filed Ahead of the 2024 Legislative Session

In Virginia, the pre-filing of legislation has begun for the 2024 session and anti-gun legislators are wasting no time in aggressively laying out their agenda. 

Following Terrorist Attack, Israel Relaxes Gun Laws and Arms Civilians

News  

Monday, October 16, 2023

Following Terrorist Attack, Israel Relaxes Gun Laws and Arms Civilians

Following an unprecedented terrorist attack on civilians that indiscriminately targeted even the elderly, women, and children, Israel has loosened its gun laws and is distributing firearms to civilians. As of press time, the number of victims killed in ...

Federal Judge in Colorado Insists There is No Second Amendment Right to Buy a Gun

News  

Monday, November 20, 2023

Federal Judge in Colorado Insists There is No Second Amendment Right to Buy a Gun

Honest people can disagree with the Founders’ decision to enshrine the Second Amendment within the Bill of Rights. They cannot, however, pretend that decision never happened. For much of the 20th Century, however, gun control activists ...

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals Strikes Maryland’s Handgun Qualification License Requirement in NRA-Backed Case.

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals Strikes Maryland’s Handgun Qualification License Requirement in NRA-Backed Case.

On Tuesday, a three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals ruled that Maryland’s Handgun Qualification License (“HQL”) requirement is unconstitutional under the Second Amendment. 

Nebraska: Kearney City Council Rescinds Gun-Free Zone Ordinance

Take Action  

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Nebraska: Kearney City Council Rescinds Gun-Free Zone Ordinance

On Tuesday, November 28th, the Kearney City Council voted 3-2 to rescind the recent gun-free zone ordinance Resolution 2023-149. 

The NRA Youth Education Summit (YES) will make its return July 16th-21st, 2024!

News  

Second Amendment  

Take Action  

Monday, December 4, 2023

The NRA Youth Education Summit (YES) will make its return July 16th-21st, 2024!

The NRA Youth Education Summit is a six-day, all-expense paid leadership and scholarship experience for rising high school juniors and seniors in the Washington, DC area. Each summer, 30-40 high school students are selected from ...

Massachusetts: Sunday Hunting Hearing Wednesday

Hunting  

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Massachusetts: Sunday Hunting Hearing Wednesday

Tomorrow, the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources will be holding a hearing on a number of hunting-related bills, including bills pertaining to Sunday Hunting. 

MORE TRENDING +
LESS TRENDING -

More Like This From Around The NRA

NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.