SA government consider tighter gun laws after US shootings, Hills cache

The South Australian government is considering tighter gun laws after recent US mass shootings and the seizure of a massive cache in the Adelaide Hills.

• Hundreds of guns seized in Adelaide Hills
• The 389 South Australians too dangerous to own a gun

The South Australian government is reviewing the state’s gun laws amid recent mass shootings in the United States and the seizure of a massive firearms cache in the Adelaide Hills.

Police Minister Corey Wingard said gun laws must ensure dangerous weapons are not allowed to get into the hands of the wrong people.

“We have seen overseas, just on the weekend in a horrific event in El Paso, about the consequences of gun violence and we are not going to let that happen here,” Mr Wingard said today.

He assured the government is “committed to doing whatever is necessary to protect them from gun violence”.

“We will release details of our considerations soon,” Mr Wingard said.

The comments come after SA Police seized more than 200 illegal weapons with no other purpose than to kill another person.

A man has been arrested on illegal firearms offences following an investigation and a search at Brukunga in the Adelaide Hills. Picture: SA Police

An assault rifle similar to one used in a mass shooting in Texas at the weekend, a high-powered handgun, military grade ammunition and flash-bang explosives were among the arsenal which took three days to dismantle.

Mr Wingard said the review, which began earlier in the year, would focus on keeping the firearms “out of the hands of idiots”.

A 53-year-old man was arrested and charged with firearms offences.

South Australian Minister for Police and Emergency Services Corey Wingard. Picture: AAP/David Mariuz

Of most concern to detectives was an SKS assault rifle, similar to one used in a mass shooting in El Paso, Texas at the weekend in which 20 people were killed. Firearms Branch Officer in Charge Superintendent Stephen Howard said the presence of the firearm was “disturbing”.

“These weapons are of a concern and shouldn’t be in the community,” he said.

“Assault rifles are the most strictly controlled weapons in South Australia and you need to have a very good reason to have them. This person did not have that reason or the licences for those firearms.

“The SKS is a firearm which is made for war. It is purely designed for killing people.”