Dangerous shotgun should not be allowed in Australia

The Australian Green's spokesperson on legal affairs has condemned the Federal Government's decision to allow the ban on the Adler A110 lever-action shotgun to expire in a year.

Justice Minister, Michael Keenan, today stated the current ban will expire in a year.

Senator Wright said the Adler was a dangerous weapon and serious restrictions were needed for its ownership and use if the gun is to be imported into Australia.

"This gun would pose a huge threat to the safety of Australians in the wrong hands," Senator Wright said.

"If you're a mass shooter, which is what the Port Arthur laws were designed to curb, then this is the type of gun you would go for. You go for something that's going to fire and fire and fire and fire and fire. And people would have no defence against it for eight rounds. That is a rapid-fire weapon.

"This gun would undercut Australia's the sensible gun laws that were introduced by John Howard and are the envy of the world.

"It is extremely irresponsible for the Government to allow this ban to expire, seemingly on a whim.

"Proponents of the Adler would like it to be classified as a category 'A' gun, which is considered a harmless tool of the trade or tool of the farm.

"The fact is that this weapon is clearly not far off a pump-action shotgun. And we severely restrict the use of firearms like that because of the speed with which they can be used.

"What we are seeing here is a sustained attack on our sensible gun laws by a voracious gun lobby and it will put people's lives at risk.

Media contact: Cambell Klose - 0417 173 508