Australian Gun Control a Danger to the Community
It should be self evident that firearm laws that do not reduce the general level of violence (whether with firearms or other or no weapons) are useless. But further than useless, Australian firearm controls are actually a danger to the community.
Senior British Police Research & Reports
In February 1970, Inspector Barry Taylor of the West Yorkshire Constabulary was shot dead whilst attending an alarm call. Later that year and into 1971, his close friend and colleague, the then Chief Inspector Colin Greenwood, undertook research into Firearms Controls as a Cropwood Short Term Fellow at the Institute of Criminology, University of Cambridge. Although Greenwood already had an interest in firearms, the loss of his friend and colleague to gun violence was a spur to his research objectivity. To publish that research, Greenwood then wrote “Firearms Control: A Study of Armed Crime and Firearms Control in England and Wales” (Routledge and Kegan Paul).
Greenwood’s research encompassed the development of gun controls and a review of the criminal use of firearms. His final conclusion was: “To continue with the process of attempting to deal with the criminal use of firearms by placing more restrictions on legitimate users is not likely to achieve anything. But the great danger lies, not in the ineffectiveness of such restrictions, but in a belief that they will solve the problem. Whilst this mistaken belief persists, the real problem will not receive the attention and action which it clearly and urgently requires”.
Ten years later in 1981 Greenwood revealed that he initially had been in favour of tight gun controls but his research had changed his mind. He said then, “But to continue with the process of attempting to deal with the criminal use of firearms by placing more restrictions on legitimate users is not likely to achieve anything”. (Page 12, “The West Australian” June 25, 1981)
Victoria Police College Research Lecture Paper
In 1986 a research paper was prepared for the Victorian Police Inspectors Course No. 51 by S.W. Waterman. (The paper was available from Freedom of Information Unit, Victoria Police, Phone; (61 3) 9247 6801 ) His research covered the Australian States, New Zealand and Great Britain.
The findings in his synopsis included; “There can be no doubt that firearm registration is ineffective and that education of the firearm user of paramount importance.” At paragraph 109 headed “Political Motives” he stated; “The main purpose of this paper has been to examine the viability of firearms registration and the control of the licensing of people to use and possess firearms. I have read many articles on the
matters and interviewed several people from both sides of the fence. Without meaning to pre-empt some of the areas under examination I find conclusively that firearms registration is an exercise in futility. I believe that the present registration system is a Political tool that was implemented in order to fulfil an election promise.” (Click here for a copy of Waterman's Paper)
Australian Senior Victorian Police Report
An Australian senior policeman, Chief Inspector Lex Newgreen who was the Victorian Firearms Registrar came to a similar conclusion as Greenwood and Waterman. In a report to the Government, he described the registration of all firearms as a waste of public money and time. In the Herald Sun of November 2, 1990 it is reported that he said; “In my view (firearms registration) does not repress or control the criminal mis-use of, or irresponsible use of, firearms”.
Eminent Australian Criminologist – Australian Gun Laws, No Result
On November 1, 2005 in a letter to the Sydney Morning Herald, Dr Don Weatherburn, NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, Sydney when commenting on recent research wrote; “I too strongly supported the introduction of tougher gun laws after the Port Arthur massacre. The fact is, however, that the introduction of those laws did not result in any acceleration of the downward trend in gun homicide. They may have reduced the risk of mass shootings but we cannot be sure because no one has done the rigorous statistical work required to verify this possibility. It is always unpleasant to acknowledge facts that are inconsistent with your own point of view. But I thought that was what distinguished science from popular prejudice.”
2008 Academic Research Confirmed Weatherburn’s Judgement
The research paper “The Australian Firearms Buyback and Its Effect on Gun Deaths” published by the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, University of Melbourne in 2008 re-analyzed the same data on firearm deaths used in previous research. The abstract introducing the research paper states; “The results of these tests suggest that the NFA did not have any large effects on reducing firearm homicide or suicide rates”. The conclusion of the paper contained; “This paper takes a closer look at the effects of the National Firearms Agreement on gun deaths. Using a battery of structural break tests, there is little evidence to suggest that it had any significant effects on firearm homicides and suicides” and “the evidence so far suggests that in the Australian context, the high expenditure incurred to fund the 1996 gun buyback has not translated into any tangible reductions in terms of firearm deaths”. http://www.melbourneinstitute.com/downloads/working_paper_series/wp2008n17.pdf
Licensing Records Proven Inaccurate
In December 2013, Dr. Leo Laden, a Western Australian firearms dealer since 1975, revealed the abysmal shambles that exists in W.A. with licensing records. He wrote that he had probably had about six police checks on his firearm holdings since 1975. “Each one was a complete shambles, with the police records list bearing little resemblance to what was actually held in stock.” At the last check of Dr. Laden’s stock he was told the records showed that he had 749 guns but on examination of the actual stock it was found that 328 were incorrectly recorded on the police computer. Dr. Laden checked with other dealers and found that they too had experienced similar problems with stock checks. Dr. Laden concluded, “The police records were of very little practical use at all”. (“Australian Shooter” December 2013)
On June 27, 2013 the Western Australian Auditor General’s report highly criticised the firearm licensing records of the W.A. Police. The report’s conclusion was; “The Firearms Register and supporting systems have numerous weaknesses in the controls over data input, processing and reporting. As a result we have no confidence in the accuracy of basic information on the number of people licensed to possess firearms or the number of licensed or unlicensed firearms in Western Australia. In the absence of reliable information, WAP are unable to effectively manage firearms licensing and regulation in WA.” (https://audit.wa.gov.au/reports-and-publications/reports/information-systems-application-controls-audits/firearms-management-system-western-australia-police/)
In 2010 a Dubbo Firearms dealer was prosecuted for possession of unregistered firearms, but the charges were withdrawn when the guns were later found to be registered. (http://www.dailyliberal.com.au/story/869585/acquitted-gun-dealers-court-ordeal-now-over/)
Errors in licensing records occur in other Australian states also. For example, every time a Victorian shooter renews their licence they are requested to correct inaccuracies in the records by listing firearms not shown on the official record or to remove those listed but not owned.
Wasted Police Resources Equals Community Danger
The senior police officers, Greenwood and Newgreen quoted above, each stated that firearm licensing was a waste of resources. Greenwood emphasised the “great danger” of the belief that restrictions on legitimate users will solve the problem (criminal misuse) because this belief then results in a lack of attention and action being correctly directed. Waterman described the registration system as just a political tool.
The resources of the Australian State Governments are limited. Given the ineffectiveness of firearm licensing as evidenced by the statements made by Greenwood, Newgreen, Waterman, Weatherburn, Laden and the W.A. Auditor General quoted above, it should be abundantly clear those limited resources are wasted when directed at restrictions on law abiding firearm owners. The example of Canada, that licenses owners but does not register ordinary Category A and B firearms is relevant. Their homicide rate is similar to Australia's so it can be seen that the registration of those ordinary rifles and shotguns is ineffective in Australia. The Canadian Minister of Public Safety when introducing their legislation said; “The Harper Government has always been clear; by eliminating the wasteful and ineffective long-gun registry, we can instead focus our efforts on measures that actually tackle crime and make our streets and communities safe,” (http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/nws/nws-rlss/2011/20111025-1-eng.aspx )
Governments should not squander the taxes of the people on useless political tools. The considerable portion of Australian crime fighting capacity now wasted in licensing Category A and B firearms and policing law abiding licensed owners should instead be directed at criminals who constitute the real danger to the community.
A prime example of how firearm licensing endangers the community was the enormous wasted effort of the Western Australian police in 1963 at the time the multiple murderer Eric Edgar Cooke was at large. He had killed six people. Shot four, stabbed one and raped and strangled another. The police test fired 60,000 rifles trying to find the murder weapon but failed. Instead the rifle was found hidden under a bush, police staked out the site and arrested Cooke when he came to recover the gun. (See pages 15 & 16 at this linked pdf) https://web.archive.org/web/20090608200442/http://www.police.wa.gov.au/LinkClick.aspx?link=PDFs%2FEpisodes_WAPolicingHistory.pdf&tabid=1060
A very conservative estimate of the police time taken to travel and test fire those 60,000 rifles would have to be somewhere in excess of half an hour for each. The result, more than 30,000 hours of police time wasted whilst a murderer stalked the streets of Perth.
The above-mentioned examples do not even rate as the tip of an iceberg of lost policing capacity. Year in and year out for decades, the policing resources of Australia have been misdirected at the law abiding, licensed firearm owner. During this time criminals have reaped the benefit of a much lower effectual level of scrutiny to the great danger of the community.
Senior British Police Research & Reports
In February 1970, Inspector Barry Taylor of the West Yorkshire Constabulary was shot dead whilst attending an alarm call. Later that year and into 1971, his close friend and colleague, the then Chief Inspector Colin Greenwood, undertook research into Firearms Controls as a Cropwood Short Term Fellow at the Institute of Criminology, University of Cambridge. Although Greenwood already had an interest in firearms, the loss of his friend and colleague to gun violence was a spur to his research objectivity. To publish that research, Greenwood then wrote “Firearms Control: A Study of Armed Crime and Firearms Control in England and Wales” (Routledge and Kegan Paul).
Greenwood’s research encompassed the development of gun controls and a review of the criminal use of firearms. His final conclusion was: “To continue with the process of attempting to deal with the criminal use of firearms by placing more restrictions on legitimate users is not likely to achieve anything. But the great danger lies, not in the ineffectiveness of such restrictions, but in a belief that they will solve the problem. Whilst this mistaken belief persists, the real problem will not receive the attention and action which it clearly and urgently requires”.
Ten years later in 1981 Greenwood revealed that he initially had been in favour of tight gun controls but his research had changed his mind. He said then, “But to continue with the process of attempting to deal with the criminal use of firearms by placing more restrictions on legitimate users is not likely to achieve anything”. (Page 12, “The West Australian” June 25, 1981)
Victoria Police College Research Lecture Paper
In 1986 a research paper was prepared for the Victorian Police Inspectors Course No. 51 by S.W. Waterman. (The paper was available from Freedom of Information Unit, Victoria Police, Phone; (61 3) 9247 6801 ) His research covered the Australian States, New Zealand and Great Britain.
The findings in his synopsis included; “There can be no doubt that firearm registration is ineffective and that education of the firearm user of paramount importance.” At paragraph 109 headed “Political Motives” he stated; “The main purpose of this paper has been to examine the viability of firearms registration and the control of the licensing of people to use and possess firearms. I have read many articles on the
matters and interviewed several people from both sides of the fence. Without meaning to pre-empt some of the areas under examination I find conclusively that firearms registration is an exercise in futility. I believe that the present registration system is a Political tool that was implemented in order to fulfil an election promise.” (Click here for a copy of Waterman's Paper)
Australian Senior Victorian Police Report
An Australian senior policeman, Chief Inspector Lex Newgreen who was the Victorian Firearms Registrar came to a similar conclusion as Greenwood and Waterman. In a report to the Government, he described the registration of all firearms as a waste of public money and time. In the Herald Sun of November 2, 1990 it is reported that he said; “In my view (firearms registration) does not repress or control the criminal mis-use of, or irresponsible use of, firearms”.
Eminent Australian Criminologist – Australian Gun Laws, No Result
On November 1, 2005 in a letter to the Sydney Morning Herald, Dr Don Weatherburn, NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, Sydney when commenting on recent research wrote; “I too strongly supported the introduction of tougher gun laws after the Port Arthur massacre. The fact is, however, that the introduction of those laws did not result in any acceleration of the downward trend in gun homicide. They may have reduced the risk of mass shootings but we cannot be sure because no one has done the rigorous statistical work required to verify this possibility. It is always unpleasant to acknowledge facts that are inconsistent with your own point of view. But I thought that was what distinguished science from popular prejudice.”
2008 Academic Research Confirmed Weatherburn’s Judgement
The research paper “The Australian Firearms Buyback and Its Effect on Gun Deaths” published by the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, University of Melbourne in 2008 re-analyzed the same data on firearm deaths used in previous research. The abstract introducing the research paper states; “The results of these tests suggest that the NFA did not have any large effects on reducing firearm homicide or suicide rates”. The conclusion of the paper contained; “This paper takes a closer look at the effects of the National Firearms Agreement on gun deaths. Using a battery of structural break tests, there is little evidence to suggest that it had any significant effects on firearm homicides and suicides” and “the evidence so far suggests that in the Australian context, the high expenditure incurred to fund the 1996 gun buyback has not translated into any tangible reductions in terms of firearm deaths”. http://www.melbourneinstitute.com/downloads/working_paper_series/wp2008n17.pdf
Licensing Records Proven Inaccurate
In December 2013, Dr. Leo Laden, a Western Australian firearms dealer since 1975, revealed the abysmal shambles that exists in W.A. with licensing records. He wrote that he had probably had about six police checks on his firearm holdings since 1975. “Each one was a complete shambles, with the police records list bearing little resemblance to what was actually held in stock.” At the last check of Dr. Laden’s stock he was told the records showed that he had 749 guns but on examination of the actual stock it was found that 328 were incorrectly recorded on the police computer. Dr. Laden checked with other dealers and found that they too had experienced similar problems with stock checks. Dr. Laden concluded, “The police records were of very little practical use at all”. (“Australian Shooter” December 2013)
On June 27, 2013 the Western Australian Auditor General’s report highly criticised the firearm licensing records of the W.A. Police. The report’s conclusion was; “The Firearms Register and supporting systems have numerous weaknesses in the controls over data input, processing and reporting. As a result we have no confidence in the accuracy of basic information on the number of people licensed to possess firearms or the number of licensed or unlicensed firearms in Western Australia. In the absence of reliable information, WAP are unable to effectively manage firearms licensing and regulation in WA.” (https://audit.wa.gov.au/reports-and-publications/reports/information-systems-application-controls-audits/firearms-management-system-western-australia-police/)
In 2010 a Dubbo Firearms dealer was prosecuted for possession of unregistered firearms, but the charges were withdrawn when the guns were later found to be registered. (http://www.dailyliberal.com.au/story/869585/acquitted-gun-dealers-court-ordeal-now-over/)
Errors in licensing records occur in other Australian states also. For example, every time a Victorian shooter renews their licence they are requested to correct inaccuracies in the records by listing firearms not shown on the official record or to remove those listed but not owned.
Wasted Police Resources Equals Community Danger
The senior police officers, Greenwood and Newgreen quoted above, each stated that firearm licensing was a waste of resources. Greenwood emphasised the “great danger” of the belief that restrictions on legitimate users will solve the problem (criminal misuse) because this belief then results in a lack of attention and action being correctly directed. Waterman described the registration system as just a political tool.
The resources of the Australian State Governments are limited. Given the ineffectiveness of firearm licensing as evidenced by the statements made by Greenwood, Newgreen, Waterman, Weatherburn, Laden and the W.A. Auditor General quoted above, it should be abundantly clear those limited resources are wasted when directed at restrictions on law abiding firearm owners. The example of Canada, that licenses owners but does not register ordinary Category A and B firearms is relevant. Their homicide rate is similar to Australia's so it can be seen that the registration of those ordinary rifles and shotguns is ineffective in Australia. The Canadian Minister of Public Safety when introducing their legislation said; “The Harper Government has always been clear; by eliminating the wasteful and ineffective long-gun registry, we can instead focus our efforts on measures that actually tackle crime and make our streets and communities safe,” (http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/nws/nws-rlss/2011/20111025-1-eng.aspx )
Governments should not squander the taxes of the people on useless political tools. The considerable portion of Australian crime fighting capacity now wasted in licensing Category A and B firearms and policing law abiding licensed owners should instead be directed at criminals who constitute the real danger to the community.
A prime example of how firearm licensing endangers the community was the enormous wasted effort of the Western Australian police in 1963 at the time the multiple murderer Eric Edgar Cooke was at large. He had killed six people. Shot four, stabbed one and raped and strangled another. The police test fired 60,000 rifles trying to find the murder weapon but failed. Instead the rifle was found hidden under a bush, police staked out the site and arrested Cooke when he came to recover the gun. (See pages 15 & 16 at this linked pdf) https://web.archive.org/web/20090608200442/http://www.police.wa.gov.au/LinkClick.aspx?link=PDFs%2FEpisodes_WAPolicingHistory.pdf&tabid=1060
A very conservative estimate of the police time taken to travel and test fire those 60,000 rifles would have to be somewhere in excess of half an hour for each. The result, more than 30,000 hours of police time wasted whilst a murderer stalked the streets of Perth.
The above-mentioned examples do not even rate as the tip of an iceberg of lost policing capacity. Year in and year out for decades, the policing resources of Australia have been misdirected at the law abiding, licensed firearm owner. During this time criminals have reaped the benefit of a much lower effectual level of scrutiny to the great danger of the community.