The two issues are distinct.

Of course there should be more effective gun laws to combat the use of guns by criminals and the police should be adequately resourced to enforce these laws.

On the other hand, there is an important flaw in the concept of the “law-abiding” citizen who owns a gun.

It assumes implicitly that such a person will always be careful and responsible, and observe the law at all times and in all circumstances.

While they have access to a gun they must not allow their normal calm judgement to be affected by alcohol, domestic disputes or provocation by neighbours or government officials. I doubt that anyone can claim never to have really lost their temper or acted impulsively.

In NSW a child as young as 12 can obtain a permit to possess and use a firearm under supervision and, in doing so there is no test of the applicant’s practical abilities in using a gun.

However the law requires a person to be 17 years old before they are sufficiently mature and responsible to hold a driving licence and only then after extensive training and a practical test.

After obtaining a Minor’s Firearms Training Permit, a child can then obtain a NSW Restricted Game Hunting Licence enabling them to hunt, under supervision, on public land.

Again there is no practical test of competence.  Do we really want to make guns accessible to children and to encourage them to think that killing animals is a form of recreation?

Narooma’s HuntFest gave free admission to children under 16 so they could be exposed to hunting culture.

It’s dangerous to condition children to think that killing animals is fun.

Susan Cruttenden and 

Allan Baxter

Dalmeny