The Australian government reacted quickly to the promptings of the Anti-gun lobby and after a meeting of Police ministers quickly accepted proposals to ban semi-automatic weapons, pump action shotguns and other previously legal weapons. A requirement was also made for registration of all legal firearms and 5 years licences for gun-owners.
This legislation existed before the massacre but the massacre created the necessary public opinion to have it passed in all Australian states. (That legislation is passed due to "Public Opinion" occurs only when useful to our leaders)
In Queensland the state in which I live the legislation was passed by the three major parties unanimously. This was despite the fact that the major party in government- the National Party- had gone to the previous election with a policy that they would repeal the legislation requiring gun licences put in by the previous Labor government.
The state politician in my area was Trevor Perrett (Qld- National Party). He is unimportant in himself however he represents the malaise in Australian politics. A party man who says yes when his higher-ups say yes and no when they say no. He is in good company with Quisling and Benedict Arnold. (Mr Perrett was defeated in the Queensland State election on 13 June 98 by Dorothy Pratt of Pauline Hanson's- ONE NATION party)
Not all politicians gave in. Liz Cunningham (independent), Bob Katter (National), Graham Cambell (Australia First) and Pauline Hanson (Independent at the time but now leader of One Nation) opposed the so-called reforms to the gun Laws in varying degrees to no avail.
I live in the country near Kingaroy, Queensland. I have had semi-automatic weapons for about 20 years and have never been accused of mis-using one. Based on my previous personal needs for a semi-automatic I believe that I have a need to have one both for self- defence and for use on animals in the area. Under the new legislation self defence is NOT an adequate reason to have a weapon. In addition I believe that the Bill of rights (England, 1689) gives me a right - not a conditional right- to have a weapon.
Because of our politicians dishonesty I believe that even if we, the people, are allowed bolt action weapons now it is a conditional permission that can at the pollies whim be removed when it suites them. The abolition of permits for all weapons in a few years will be more effective because of the compulsory registration of ones weapons that must occur before a citizen can get a new licence. When all weapons are banned the government will know who has one and will be able to more effectively remove them.
I feel it is now impossible to trust the politicians in this issue and I believe a campaign of CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE is necessary to prevent them from successfully implementing this law.
As part of this campaign I have buried my guns, refused to get a licence and am now on 4 charges of illegal possession of firearms as a result of publicity stunts I did during the recent Queensland election.
At this point I would like to point out it is NOT the POLICE who are the problem. When they enforce this law they will be doing their DUTY. It is their POLITICAL MASTERS who should be held responsible and accountable.
I believe it is neccessary that these laws be defeated as soon as possible because as time passes more restricted weapons will be removed from the populace.
As there will soon be a Federal election the best way to defeat the law is to defeat the politicians responsible for it. As most electorates in Australia are balanced on a margin of less than 5% if all pro-gun voters vote against the incumbent member that MP can be defeated and a new one put in who may be more reasonable.
Preferably we should elect candidates from either AUSTRALIA FIRST or ONE NATION as it their policy to reverse these gun laws. However even if members of the major parties win (as long as it is not the incumbent) we can pressure our pollies via their super-annuation. They need three terms in Parliament to get their generous super payout. If we can kick out the incumbent the newcomer will have to win 3 elections despite the opposition of pro-gun citizens.
I, MARTIN ESSENBERG am a conscientious objector to the New Gun Laws enacted in Queensland, Australia in 1997.
These new laws (also called "Reforms") were enacted in response to the Port Arthur Massacre (Tasmania, Australia) which occurred in early 1996 when some-one with a grudge against society used a semi-automatic rifle to kill 35 people and injure many others .
<> ALL FIREARMS OWNERS WERE CONSIDERED GUILTY
<> WITHOUT TRIAL
A brief history. The full details are elsewhere on my website. I started protesting in 96 and joined the semi-notorious Ron Owen of Gympie in a demonstration drive to Brisbane and around the city centre.
In October 97 when the Laws came in I handed myself in to the local Police (after burying my guns) and told them of my actions. As I was not in possession they politely told me to go away.
I gave our local MP, Trevor Perrett a hard time in the local press and also parked a vehicle with anti-Perrett signs outside his office in Kingaroy
During the June 98 Queensland election I held demonstrations at the Kingaroy Town Hall against Trevor Perrett.
To ensure his defeat I wanted lots of publicity during the election. So I notified the local Police (very friendly people) that I would have a gun at the demonstration. Before the demonstration I gave them the bolt of the .22 cal, single shot, bolt action rifle to ensure that I wasn't causing public fear. This brought in the local papers.
So I held 5 demonstrations during the election at which 2 air rifles and 2 bolt action, single shot, .22cal guns were present (one at a time) inside 6" white PVC tubes sealed at both ends. One bolt action didn't even have a barrel. The arresting Police (in Brisbane) were thinking of throwing that one in the river as it was so pathetic. One demonstration involved category R weapons (chinese throwing stars) being confiscated. The Police did not charge me for this one as they said it was not in the public interest.
I was arrested and charged for the rifles. I attended court in both Kingaroy (3 charges unlicenced possession) and Brisbane (1 charge) and pleaded NOT Guilty.
The Kingaroy charges were set for 7 August 98 and the Brisbane one for 11 August 98
My request to LEGAL AID Queensland was dissallowed and I have appealed. The appeal was disallowed also however I was told that for the court appeals I could again seek legal aid.
My request for legal aid to the WAKKA WAKKA aboriginal Legal corporation has been ignored since the 29 June. I later sent them a copy of my request by registered mail to ensure they couldn't say they hadn't received it. They have acknowledged receipt on the letteron the phone, however have still never replied in writing
It would seem that unlike every-one else in society the Wakka are above normal law. The Anti-discrimination board says the Wakka are exempt from the Antidiscrimination law Trevor Perrett was defeated by Dorothy Pratt of One Nation at the election. I hope my contribution tipped the balance
<> YOU CAN HELP
<> WRITE A LETTER OF PROTEST TO YOUR LOCAL MP
<> TELL YOUR FRIENDS YOU ARE PRO-GUN
A GUN BURYING SONG
( To the tune of Waltzing Matilda)
Once a good citizen camped by a billabong and buried his gun by a coolibah tree and he sang as he buried his gun by the billabong you'll never get my semi-automatic from me CHORUS semi-automatic, semiautomatic, you'll never get my semi-automatic from me and he sang as he buried his gun by the billabong you'll never get my semi-automatic from me. 2nd verse Down came Jack-boot Johny mounted on a thoroughbred. Up jumped the troopers, one, two, three. Where's that gun you've got buried by the billabong we want your semi-automatic from thee. Chorus again 3rd verse Up jumped the good citizen and submitted to a prison term you'll never get my semi-automatic from me. And this song may be heard if you all just sing along you'll never get my semi-automatic from me Chorus yet again
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© 2000 marsiegen@burcom.com.au
