Australian Customs

[John -Melb]

I was at the club at the weekend and I heard a story which I thought I would let you folks know about. It shows the lengths entrenchd anti-gunna's are prepared to go to in their attack on the shooting sports. I'm sure you're all aware of the new gun laws that are coming into force in Australia real soon.
Our club secretary attempted to purchase mail order from the US a new longer barrel for his pistol to bring it into line with the new laws. When this article come through Customs it was seized, he was contacted by phone and advised of the seizure, when he explained that he had purchased the part to bring his pistol into line with the new regulations, he was told that he was not being prosecuted, however if he tried it again he would be. He was also advised that should he make any complaint about the matter, Customs would review their decision not to prosecute!
It may be too late for us poor souls downunder, it's not to late for you folks in the US, drive any anti-gunna from any elected office at any and every opportunity!

[Navy]

John,
My heart goes out to you Diggers who have to put up with such radical socialism. Organize, contribute time and money and turn the bastards OUT! VOTE THEM INTO OBLIVION.

Any freedom surrendered for the sake of security will buy no security and, if history is a judge, will never be returned until repaid in blood. No compromise of basic rights is permissable. You must cling to your rights with tenacity and fight with fury to regain those which your well meaning sheepish citizens surrendered. Organize, contribute time and money and vote.

Enlist the help of fellow collectors and sportsmen outside of Australia; hell's bells, I give lots to the NRA each year; I would be pleased to contribute to the Australian equivalent.

The 21st Century is shaping up to be the era when brave young men (My son among them) and women go forth to face and destroy evil in the name of liberty; let us not cheapen their struggle and sacrifice by accepting political expediency. Fear a government that fears its armed citizens.

But then again, I am simply a historian and old soldier.
Tom A.

[Weissen]

Sounds to me like Customs are just throwing their weight around.
As far as I'm aware barrels aren't controlled items and can be bought and sold at will. Actions/receivers are a different story though.
Maybe they (the gov't)just want to hush up the fact that there is already an unforseen loop-hole in their shiny new laws? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />


<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />
Ken

[susan]

Tom A. is right that people need to get on the bandwagon before it is too late. i would also be willing to support your version of the n.r.a. i support the n.r.a. here, and encourage others to do so also. numbers of names on the list do matter. do you have such an organization? is there a website? have you contacted the n.r.a. here for suggestions/support? what can we do to help?
susan

[Weissen]

Yep, we do have an organisation that looks after shooters rights here in OZ. It is called the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (SSAA).

It is similar to the NRA in the States and boasts over 100,000 members and is by far the biggest pro-gun group in Oz.
This probably dosn't sound like a particularly large membership to you guys, but believe me this is a serious number of people grouped together for a single cause in a country of this size, many political parties here can not boast of a greater membership.
I beleive it is affiliated in some way with the NRA but am unsure of the specifics.
Hit SSAA for the website.
Feel free to sign up and become a member, always looking for new members
The monthly magazine that goes with the membership is quite good also and might be an interesting read for people in other countries who would like to know more about the shooting scene down here in Oz.
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />