NCJ Number
101300
Journal
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology Volume: 18 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1985) Pages: 257-271
Date Published
1985
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This article identifies and critiques the policy implications of the 1985 New South Wales (Australia) Firearms and Dangerous Weapons (Amendment) Act.
Abstract
The Act covers such issues as gun registration and licensing of owners, control on the sale of amunition, the appropriate locus of discretion in firearms control matters, appropriate controls for especially dangerous types of firearms, licensing of rural property owners, reciprocity in licensing within Australia, and the collection of historically significant firearms. Many of these provisions suffer from vagueness and Many of these provisions suffer from vagueness and lack of definitions, will occasion inconvenience, and are of debatable efficacy. On the whole, the Act seems functional and consistent with the goal of preventing the misuse of firearms. However, one might question whether it is the best overall scheme, given contemporary Australian conditions and the goal of minimum interference in legitimate activities, for keeping firearms violence from becoming a part of everyday life. 79 notes. (Author abstract modified)