What about an answer on Alpers, Paul 1045?

Specifically, what qualifications does Alpers have?

leoj, when Paul 1045 pops in he might answer your question.

Specifically, what qualifications does Alpers have?

Well, he hasn't shot any children or police officers yet, so I suppose you can give him a black mark there. He's not cozy with the American gun lobby, nor getting backhanders from them, so that's a definite no no. Don't think he runs a 'Burgers and Bullets' franchise when kids can shoot their instructor dead. Do you want me to add a few more? There are lots to choose from.

What's makes you, and your sidekick, experts on the subject? Could it be your desire for a armed vigilante citizens militia, with you lesding the parade.

Hi there Paul 1405 & LEOJ...

As a former licensing sergeant, I found all manner of personalities and genders would present, and argue for a F/A Licence and to my mind, the only way to reduce accidental shootings, or crimes with F/A's; is to catch the crooks; that's the hard bit! But we can, more precisely, licence the individual, as well as monitoring the movement of F/A's. But first, it must be a Federal strategy! Ask any of my former colleagues, you'll receive the same answer.

The number of applicants I've interviewed, where if I had my way, I would've immediately rendered them; '...not a fit or proper person to be in possession of a F/A...' would the too innumerable to count?

However, one can only apply the ACT and it's Reg's. as to your reasoning, why you might refuse. Otherwise the applicant takes himself to Court and appeals, and invariably the friendly Magistrate, will uphold the appeal, making the process a farce.

Therefore until the Federal Government gets involved; the ACT and Regulations, needs to be redrafted, in concert with Licensing police, in order the ACT and Regulations are appropriately amended and where necessary strengthened, to allow police to determine with greater accuracy whether an applicant is a 'fit and proper person to be in possession of a F/A'.

This would include criminal antecedents naturally, but shouldn't exclude (absolutely). An individual's sense of social responsibility (you can spot the injudicious and irresponsible, the moment they walk through the door), but more particularly, those individuals who may have a mental illness, or currently under psychiatric care?

Home Storage: All F/A's must be kept in an approved locked container. To do otherwise the L/H would need to prove, those F/A's were directly under his care, custody and control. Not leave a rifle in the Garage overnight, or locked in a M/V at the local Motel, on a shooting trip? Contravention:- Immediate suspension of a F/A Lic. And a heavy financial penalty, involving the possibility of Gaol. Would any of theses measures reduce the number of F/A accidents, perhaps?

o sung wu,

One of life's tasks associated with greying temples, is to strive to make some sense out of life.

For consideration I put to you that almost invariably when you were called to attend because of some problematic behaviour, it was being exhibited by a member or members of a certain socio-economic group.

Now, taking this a little further, psychologists have found and upon reflection you might arrive at a similar conclusion based on your experience, that self-control is crucial, the KEY, to success in school, in relationships and in life. Self control is absolutely associated with happiness, good health, long life

AND

GOOD BEHAVIOUR - such as crime-free, good citizenship, pleasant ways, respectful,

and, in short, NOT making those dumb-ass, self-indulging, selfish, stupid decisions that land the idiot concerned in trouble (and trouble for others since such fools' behaviour usually impacts on others).

To be very blunt, psychologists are saying and as a result of years of trying to help people through building their self-esteem but finding that a dead end gully, that it is very difficult indeed to find any major problems that do not result from failure to self-control.

NSW Police Minister Troy Grant said: "There is no way to ensure the safe storage of an unregistered and prohibited firearm". That is very hard to disagree with and for very obvious reasons.

You see, these offenders are already breaking laws. That is what they do. For them is their choice and their modus operandi. As if complying with the firearms regulations is of any concern to them.

Hi there LEOJ...

Your second last paragraph, best summarises things, I reckon? An individual who unlawfully possesses a proscribed weapon, is hardly going to bother about safe storage, or any other mandated requirement concerning the safe handling of that weapon. Why should he, after all the weapon is an illicit tool to aid him in some criminal enterprise, so it would appear quite ludicrous in the extreme, to obey any minor prohibitions, associated with the possession of that weapon?

Paul,

You quoted Alpers as a Professor,
a Professor of what exactly?

Can't you find his academic qualifications?

I think you might find out more about his academic career if you look.