Coronavirus lockdown fears over guns amid Aussie sales spikes
There are calls for SA to follow other states and immediately ban gun sales until the coronavirus pandemic passes amid fears for domestic violence victims trapped in social isolation.
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Calls are being made to ban the sale of firearms and ammunition for sporting and recreational use in South Australia to protect women at greater risk of domestic violence in COVID-19 forced isolation.
The plea for restrictions comes as latest figures show permits to buy a firearm, swap, or receive one through a deceased estate or gift has increased by 497 in March 2020 (in line with growing awareness of the pandemic) compared with March last year.
Firearm license applications for March have slightly increased from a 222 monthly average, a SAPOL spokesman told the Sunday Mail. He did not provide the exact figure.
SA-Best MLC Connie Bonaros said the state government should follow Western Australia, Victoria and Queensland, which have restricted firearm sales for sporting and recreational use in the last seven days in the interests of community safety after spikes in sales were noted.
“Firearms and ammunition for firearms should not be available for purchase at a time when many at-risk homes have turned into potential pressure cookers,” Ms Bonaros said.
“As a community, we don’t want a situation whereby a domestic violence perpetrator has access to firearms in such an explosive environment.”
Gun retailers who spoke with The Sunday Mail said purchases for both guns and ammunition had increased in the last two weeks after wholesale prices on new stock jumped 25 per cent due to the weaker Australian dollar and reduced imported supply due to hoarding by US citizens.
Emergency Management State co-ordinator Police Commissioner Grant Stevens has not yet decided to close or restrict the sale of firearms or ammunition.
SAPOL says SA has robust and well established processes and strict oversight for the acquisition of any firearm in the state.
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Under current SA law, police do not need to notify a spouse when their partner or ex-partner applies for a firearms licence. However, checks are made to ensure licence applicants are ‘fit and proper’ and have not received a domestic violence intervention orders banning firearms access.
Sporting Shooters Association of SA president David Handyside said gun owners took the responsibility of owning and keeping a firearm “very seriously”.
“To suggest we should be linked in any shape or form to domestic violence is abhorrent,” he said.
Women’s Safety Services SA director Ginny Cisneros said the most dangerous place for women and children living with domestic and family violence is often inside their home.
“Perpetrator access to weapons increases risk for women and children, and measures that seek to reduce risk for women and children are welcomed,” she said.
White Ribbon Ambassador and victim advocate Michael O’Connell said selling firearms was not an essential service, especially now that shooting clubs had shut down.
“It is often said, firearms don’t kill, yet when an abusive partner has access to a firearm, family or domestic violence is more likely to turn deadly …. The killer, until pulling the trigger, is frequently a law-abiding firearm owner.”
For support, call the Domestic Violence Crisis Line 1800 800 098.