Why do we need 41,519 guns?

[philw]

that was the original title of the story


http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,26232759-5006301,00.html

also while you are at it can you vote in the poll that they are doing

A SA Police computer program counted firearms which had been destroyed, causing incorrect data on registered handguns to be made public, it has emerged.

It was reported today that there were 41,519 registered handguns in South Australia, but it has now been revealed that this figure was based on wrong information given by SA Police to the Australian Institute of Criminology.

AdelaideNow has been told that more than 20,000 handguns which were handed in under the federal gun buy-back scheme had been destroyed - but their details had not removed from a SAPOL computer register.

This led to the incorrect figure of 41,519 handguns being provided to the Institute of Criminology, which then published the figure in a 2008 report on the criminal use of handguns - giving the wrong impression that SA had more registered handguns than any other state.

AdelaideNow today confirmed that, as at June this year, there were actually 20,063 registered handguns in SA.

This total  had been counted manually during an audit of the handguns which had been destroyed but not deleted from the SAPOL firearms registry.

A police spokesman said the correct figure had now been provided to the Institute of Criminology for inclusion in future reports.

Meanwhile, more than 600 firearms, including automatic assault rifles, thousands of rounds of ammunition and ballistic vests, have been seized since 2002.

Two city gun attacks in as many days have sparked fresh calls for action to reduce the number of illegal guns flooding the streets.

Experts say millions of illegal firearms are circulating across the country, increasing fears for public safety.

Bullet holes this week have marked the facade of a city nightclub and a suburban police base, further evidence that potentially deadly gun violence can erupt at anytime, any where on Adelaide's streets.

Latest police statistics also show firearm and weapons offences are on the rise.

Adelaide University law lecturer and criminology expert Allan Perry said there were probably "millions" of illegal guns available.

"There are hundreds of thousands, probably millions, of firearms in circulation," Mr Perry said. "I'm afraid it's always going to be a feature, the most effective thing we can try and do is deter their use."

Shots were fired into Light Square's Savvy nightclub, on Waymouth St in the city about 4.45am yesterday.

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Two men have been charged with endangering life and various firearms offences.

Police will allege semi-automatic handguns were used and the shooting was linked to outlaw motorcycle gangs.

In a separate shooting, three shots were fired into the Netley Police Complex, which houses the elite STAR group unit and the Crime Gangs Task Force, on Sunday about 12.40am.

No one was injured in either shooting.

The shootings follow dozens of others on Adelaide streets in the past two years, including a shootout on the popular Gouger St restaurant strip in May last year, when bystanders were forced to take cover as at least 15 shots were fired by about a dozen men in three cars.

Victims Rights Commissioner Michael O'Connell has called for a reduction in the number of guns.

"In my view there are too many guns on our streets," Mr O'Connell said.

"These shootings will heighten people's fear about Adelaide being unsafe . . . in my view it's an unfortunate trend."

Illegal firearms, of which numbers are impossible to calculate, come from a combination of illegal importation, illegal manufacture and converting replica guns, a 2008 report said.

Mr Perry said guns were the hallmark of criminal gangs.

"There is nothing that is stronger or more threatening than a firearm," he said.

"Firearms are culturally attached to certain types of organised criminal activity, criminal motorcycle gangs have always used firearms and there appears to be no decline there."

The 1996 gun buyback, following the Port Arthur massacre, led to a decline in gun use in domestic violence and suicides, but "certainly the buyback didn't reduce the number of illegal guns".

[Hazcat]

80% against tighter laws, but I did not see many comments saying that the SUBJECTS of Australia should be allowed to become CITIZENS and protect themselves with a firearm.

[Pathfinder]

80% against tighter laws, but I did not see many comments saying that the SUBJECTS of Australia should be allowed to become CITIZENS and protect themselves with a firearm.

I added said comment, but the paper was nice enough to tell me they may not post all comments, what with virtual ink being so expensive and all,, and may have to edit others because, well, doggone it, the comment just might be offensive to someone.   

[tombogan03884]

 Because we can't get 41,520 guns.

[ericire12]

Because this is America, damn it!







*Oh, wait.... never mind.

[Sponsor]

[twyacht]

Meanwhile, more than 600 firearms, including automatic assault rifles, thousands of rounds of ammunition and ballistic vests, have been seized since 2002.


Do stolen guns get returned to their rightful owners?  I'm guessing not, and illegal and stolen guns are just destroyed.

But the term "seized" tends to raise the ire of Americans that are drawing a line in the sand when it comes to "seizing" anything acquired by legal and lawful means.


Latest police statistics also show firearm and weapons offences are on the rise.

By whom?.... Criminals of course, because they could care less about Australian Gun Laws, in fact, criminals like them as most if not all of their victims are unarmed...

Sorry phil, the gov't tried to ban lawful citizens from owning guns, or regulating them to death, but the illegal thugs still have them, and are increasing in assaults and violence.

How's that logic for ya'''?

[philw]

works for Me Twyacht




re the stolen firearms

they don't always get back to the owners .   

[alfsauve]

    

Why do we need 41,519 guns?

HOW DISGRACEFUL.   Pitiful.  That's only, what, 1 per every 20 adults!!!  You need about 800,000 MORE is what you need.
   

[tt11758]

Why do we NEED 585 Senators and Congresspersons?