By chance I was given a current copy of the 'Australian Shooter' magazine, dedicated to those people who pursue shooting as a sport.

I've never been opposed to permitting 'fit and proper persons' from participating in lawful hunting or target shooting in 'all' it's forms. Neither do I see any practical advantage in adopting even more restrictive impediments to already heavily regulated licensed shooters, who've been 'put through the wringer' by police when they originally apply for a F/A licence.

However while browsing through this magazine I was amazed at the number of firearms advertised, that could only be described as being para-military ? Many were carbine styled with inordinately short barrels, pistol grips, muzzle breaks some even offered with 'light amplification scopes' not unlike the legendary 'Litton' which we used on the FBI Snipers school! This one on offer, was the 'ATN X-Sight' night vision scope @ circa $1300 !

Please don't misunderstand me, I'm not ill-disposed to any of the above configurations, modifications or sighting systems, other than we seem to be drifting towards weaponry of a kind, which can only be described as being para-military. And I simply ask why ? Once this sort of Kit was only within the sole preserve of the military and police ?

There was one distinct type that was banned in NSW some years ago. It's now re-emerged as a Czech mfg'd. 'Alfa-Proj' revolving carbine offered in either .22 or .357 magnum. Fitted with either a 12 inch or 20 inch barrel. Previously a similar version was mfg'd by a South American company Rossi or Boito ? It was prohibited because of the apparent ease the weapon could be re-configured into a revolver, simply by shortening the barrel and removing the stock with a hacksaw.

As an ex copper, I would not like to see this particular F/A being made available again for the same reasons that existed in NSW. We already have a vigorous trade of illegal F/A's, thanks to the many Bikie Gangs, without adding another possible choice to the menu, in the illicit F/A's market !

They are not 'military style', 'sniper' or 'assault' weapons just because there is a lot of plastic, a thumbhole stock or a Picatinny rail with silly things like lights handing off it.

A Toyota Corolla can be decked out to look like the Batmobile too, but it sure doesn't fly like one.

There is a shipload of hysteria about. A recent report in the media FROM A POLICE SOURCE concerned a 'cache' of 'high powered assault rifles'. However from the photo it could easily be seen that there was an airgun and 'Airsoft' toys that shoot harmless plastic pellets.

The public need to be switching on their BS detectors and at the same time wondering why there are shadowy figures -like that US billionaire currency dealer who nearly sent the Bank of England broke and was found guilty of a trading offence in France- interfering in the domestic politics of other countries, including Australia.

In closing, it is the person we should be looking at not the tool.

Hi there ONTHEBEACH...

A somewhat facile rejoinder to a rather serious matter I would've thought ? Furthermore your analogy of an abundance of plastic and thumb hole stocks, together with a Picatinny Rail fitted with 'light things hanging off it' is all rather imaginative too I believe. Nevertheless ONTHEBEACH, that's your opinion and you're entitled to it. Accordingly, I thank you for your comment.

Hi O Sung Wu, I totally agree with you that we don't need those sort of paramilitary guns for non-military people in Australia, and those sort of magazines promoting mindless morons posing with big guns should be banned for sale.

As a former police officer, I certainly value your views on this sort of weaponry rather than the mindless morons who think they know all about it, but really it is just all about the killing and 'big-man-with-big-gun' mentality.
You know what they say about civilian men who feel the need to carry big guns.......

o sung wu,

Thank you for your civil reply. You will always get a frank and straightforward reply from me.

There are no assault weapons available to the licensed public. Check and you will find they are bolt action, single shot. A lever action, as in the models that continue from the 1860's are single shot too, rifle or shotgun. Nothing interesting there, unless of course someone can point to a flood of crime involving such agricultural pieces. There is no such crime wave.

The violent crime stats are as usual dominated by certain middle eastern criminal and bikie drug gangs using knives, blunt weapons and illegal modern 'gangsta' type pistols they smuggle in new in crates through Australia's porous borders. These people are imports who brought with them to Australia their cultural traditions of resolving even minor disagreements with weapons. Ban them!

ATM, 'gun control' - the goal of which is confiscations and bans affecting law-abiding licensed citizens and does NOT affect criminals, is yet another of the political diversions (along with gay marriage and republic) of the Greens protest party and other flakey types. But most regrettably including a wealthy, secret squirrel overseas billionaire who is alleged to provide seed money and support to serial activists to carry out demonstrations in the US and western democracies. Figure that one out.

Honestly, it is ludicrous to suggest that Australians could be 'arming themselves by stealth' given the mountain of bureaucratic paperwork and time-wasting busywork for police that lawful licensed ownership must comply with.

Worry no more and have a cold one :)

Hi there ONTHEBEACH...

OTB - it's not the 'cyclic rate of fire' that concerns me, rather it's the various weapons, and the way they're now designed and configured - why is there a need for a muzzle break ? I previously owned a Ruger No 1 'Tropical' SS in .458W magnum, a veritable elephant ctg that was designed to accommodate 'the big four'. I regularly fired a 10 + 10 50yard stalking programme most Sundays. This rifle delivered a relative recoil factor of, circa 4.30. Whereas your old dependable .303 British service rifle, delivered a RRF of only circa, 1.9 ! Yet 'Savage Arms' are promoting their heavier calibres in .308 (7.62nato) all with muzzle breaks, why ?

Sure the old .458W magnum gave you a pretty tender shoulder after a Sunday comp, but a bloody muzzle break ? No Big Game Hunter would be seen dead with such a piece !

I'll tell you why my good friend, it's a great marketing tool, short barrels, camo stocks, carbine configuration, and all with a muzzle break ! Makes 'em all look much more military in their design, and intended use !

You and I both know it's all a crock of nonsense, these rifles and similar, are introduced into the market place, to appeal to those 'wannabes' who like the notion of having a 'LEGAL' assault 'styled' piece - just another example of these wannabe's ballistic masturbation is all ! No doubt, these clowns are legitimate, licensed shooters, but you well know OTB, just because they can produce a piece of paper saying they're legal, doesn't necessarily indicate they're endowed with much common sense !

Mate, I could go on for ages on this specific issue, but I'd be just ventilating 'hot air' for no useful purpose.

In conclusion OTB thank you again, for your unabridged candour, I wouldn't wish it any other way, you know that ol' man !